012 Naming a Guardian Is Only Half the Job

How to Give Them The Means to Say "Yes" Download Your Free Book: https://tinyurl.com/monahan-estate-book 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify In this episode of Estate Planning Confidence, we tackle one of the most common objections people have “I’m too young to need an estate plan.” It’s one of the most common reasons people put off planning — and on the surface, it sounds reasonable. If you’re in your 30s or 40s, busy with careers and raising kids, estate planning might feel like something for later… much later. But as Bob explains in this episode, that mindset misses the point — and could leave the people you love in a difficult spot. Take Ken and Alex, for example. They’re young parents with two little kids, ages 2 and 4. They were ready to write their wills and name a guardian — an essential step for parents of minors. Their choice? Alex’s sister, who loves the kids and has a strong bond with them. But when they asked her, she hesitated. Not because she didn’t want to care for them — but because she wasn’t sure she could afford to. She already had her own kids, a mortgage, and bills. That’s the part many parents overlook: naming a guardian is only half the job. If you don’t also give that guardian the means to say “yes” without hesitation, they might decline — and the court could place your children with someone else entirely. That’s why Ken and Alex’s plan now includes two critical steps:✅ Buying life insurance to provide financial resources✅ Setting up a trust to ensure the funds are used for the children’s care, education, and future As Bob says: “Planning isn’t just about who — it’s about how. And that’s where life insurance, a trust, or other tools can make all the difference.” Here’s the takeaway from their story: Estate planning isn’t just for the elderly — it’s for anyone with people depending on them. Naming a guardian is vital, but it’s not enough. The right planning can remove financial barriers, so the person you trust most can step in without fear or hesitation. So if you’ve been thinking, “I’m too young for an estate plan” — think again. If you have kids, you have a reason. And the time to act is now, not later. 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: [phone]📧 Email: [e-mail] 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify