You Don't Need a Guardian Angel to Know You Matter
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In this episode of Estate Planning Confidence, we tackle one of the most common objections people have to estate planning — and it’s one that sounds logical on the surface:
“I’m not rich. I don’t need an estate plan.”
But as Bob explains, that belief rests on two misunderstandings — one external, and one deeply personal.
First, there’s the media image. Estate planning has long been portrayed as something reserved for the ultra-wealthy — the folks with vacation homes, family businesses, and a butler named Jeeves. If you’re a regular person with a house, a retirement account, and a checking account, it’s easy to feel like you don’t “qualify.”
But more often, there’s something deeper going on:
“Sometimes when someone says ‘I’m not rich,’ what they really mean is, ‘I’m not important enough. My life doesn’t really matter in the big picture.’”
That’s where the classic holiday movie It’s a Wonderful Life comes in. In this episode, Bob shares the story of George Bailey — a man who believed his life amounted to very little, until an angel showed him what the world would look like without him.
It turns out he had made a profound difference: saving lives, preserving dignity, creating opportunity, and protecting his community.
George didn’t leave behind millions. He left behind meaning.
And that’s the heart of estate planning.
✅ It’s not about wealth — it’s about worth.✅ It’s not just about money — it’s about the life you’ve built, the people you’ve loved, and the impact you’ve had.✅ It’s not for the rich — it’s for anyone who wants to protect what they’ve made and who they care about.
As Bob says:
“Most people won’t get a visit from a guardian angel to show them how much they matter. But your life does matter — and it’s worth protecting.”
In this episode, you’ll also learn how to start shifting your mindset and recognize the everyday legacy you’re already creating. Because when you realize how much you mean to the people around you, estate planning stops being about paperwork — and starts being about peace of mind.
If this episode resonates with you, take a moment today and ask yourself:
Who do I care for?
What have I built?
What do I want to protect?
And if you’re ready to take the next step, we’ve created a free resource to guide you: the Estate Planning Confidence book — a clear, simple guide to help you get started, stay organized, and build a plan that actually works.
About Robert Monahan
Robert Monahan is an estate planning attorney licensed in Illinois and New York. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Virginia School of Law. Robert helps families plan with clarity and confidence from his office in Gurnee, Illinois.
📍 Office: 4229 Grove Ave, Gurnee, IL📞 Phone: (847) 848-6165📧 Email: monahanfirm@gmail.com
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify