Our 5th annual GROW women’s event centered around a topic that touches every stage of life: Estate Planning: Protecting Family & Preserving Legacy.
We began with a look at holistic financial planning – aligning our money with our values and goals and creating a plan for the future. We then heard real-life stories from two clients who reminding us that estate planning isn’t just about documents and finances. It’s about people, relationships and the things that matter most.
Kayla Oliver, CFP® , Wealth Advisor and Denise Talbert, Wealth Advisor then walked through the basics of estate planning, including wills, trusts, probate, estate taxes and choosing the right people to help carry out our wishes. We also spent time thinking about our personal “why” – who we want to protect, what we want to provide for and what we hope to pass on.
One attendee summed up the evening beautifully:
“You knocked it out of the park with just the right mix of important information, humor, compassion and a genuine sharing of what women of all ages need to know.”
Another shared:
“Beautiful way to honor women and help us to become more involved in our financial future.”
Break Out Sessions:
Financial and Tax
Denise Talbert led our Financial & Tax breakout session, diving into some of the financial considerations that can come with estate planning – and helping make some of those topics feel a little less intimidating.
The conversation covered:
Wills & Trusts -understanding the purpose of each and how they can fit into an overall estate plan.
Probate – what it is, how it works and why understanding the process matters when planning for the future.
Oregon Estate Tax – an important consideration for Oregon families and one that shouldn’t be overlooked when building an estate plan.
A/B or Credit Shelter Provisions – how certain trust provisions can help married couples preserve both spouses’ estate tax exemptions.
One of the biggest reminders from Denise’s session was that estate planning is not a “set it and forget it” exercise. Life changes, families change and financial circumstances change – and our plans need to change with them.
And while there are plenty of details to consider, the goal isn’t to figure it all out on your own. Working alongside your financial advisor, attorney and other professionals can help make sure the different pieces of your plan work together.
Ultimately, estate planning is about more than documents and tax strategies. It’s about making thoughtful decisions today that can help protect the people, priorities and legacy that matter most to you.
Family and Medical
We were especially grateful to have Estate Planning Attorney Stephanie Palmblad from Willamette Legacy Law join us when our planned presenter became ill at the last minute.
The Family & Medical session focused on some of the estate-planning pieces that are easy to overlook – especially the documents that give trusted people the legal authority to step in and help if we’re ever unable to make decisions for ourselves.
The conversation covered:
Financial Power of Attorney – choosing someone who can step in to handle financial and legal matters if needed.
Healthcare Power of Attorney – designating someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Living Will / Advance Directive – documenting your wishes for end-of-life medical care so your loved ones aren’t left guessing about what you would want.
HIPAA Authorization – making sure the right people can access important medical information when they need it.
Estate planning for young adults – an especially important reminder that once a child reaches adulthood, parents no longer automatically have the same authority to make medical decisions for them.
The big takeaway? Estate planning isn’t just about what happens to your assets when you die. Thoughtful planning can bring financial confidence for you and the people who may one day need to step in on your behalf.
We wrapped up with practical next steps – reviewing beneficiaries and important documents, understanding what we own, talking with loved ones and connecting with an estate-planning attorney.
And while we had planned to squeeze in some table discussions, the evening was packed with so much conversation and learning that we simply ran out of time! We’ll call that a good problem to have.
Most importantly, we hope everyone left feeling a little more informed, a little more confident and ready to take the next step in protecting the people and things they love.
That’s what GROW is all about.
This is not intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor.
Stephanie Palmblad and Willamette Legacy Law are not an affiliate of CWM, LLC. Opinions expressed by the presenter may not be representative of CWM, LLC.
