The New Parents’ Guide to Estate Planning with Nina Dow (Ep. 36)

When you're sleep-deprived and juggling diaper duty, estate planning might not be the first thing on your mind, but it should be. 

In this candid and empowering episode, Abbey sits down with Nina Dow, estate attorney and partner at Bowditch, to unpack what every new parent needs to know about planning for the unthinkable, so they can focus on building a joyful life.

Nina’s warm, no-nonsense style makes the intimidating process feel doable. From naming guardians to deciding whether you need a trust, this episode is full of practical advice that could make all the difference for your children if the unexpected ever happens.

Here’s what to expect from this episode:

• Why new parents need more than just a will—and what a trust can do
• How to choose guardians (and what happens if you don’t)
• The surprising power of a “side letter” to share your values and wishes
• Tips for starting these tough conversations with your spouse
• And more!

Connect with Abbey Henderson: 

• LinkedIn: Abbey Henderson
• [e-mail] 
• Website: Abaris Financial Group
• Facebook: Abaris Financial Group
• Facebook: Abbey Henderson: Trusted Financial Advisor & Coach
• Instagram: @trustedadvisor_coach
• LinkedIn: Abaris Financial Group
• X (Twitter): Abaris Financial Group

Connect with Nina Dow:

• LinkedIn: Nina T. Dow
• Bowditch Attorneys

About Nina Dow:

Nina Dow is a Partner in the firm’s Estate, Financial & Tax Planning practice area. Extremely passionate about her work, she strives to empower clients by helping them understand the law. Nina is a practical minded problem solver with a preference for simplicity whenever feasible. She focuses her practice on planning to minimize transfer taxes, including estate and tax planning that involves charitable giving, business succession planning, the representation of corporate and individual fiduciaries, and planning for individuals with special needs.

In addition to helping clients create an estate plan, Nina’s tax practice involves working closely with families to prepare state and federal estate tax returns following the death of a loved one. Her creative and strategic approach to estate taxation brings the best results possible for estate and trust beneficiaries. Nina also thrives on handling the complexity of estate administration in a timely fashion. Sensitive to the experience related to the loss of a family member, she settles the deceased’s affairs in a way that prevents added stress for clients.

Outside of the office, Nina is active in leadership roles in the legal profession. She is a co-founder and board member of the Arab American Bar Association of Massachusetts and serves on the organization’s Mentorship Committee. She is also co-chair of the Tax, Trusts and Estates Section of the Worcester County Bar Association and serves on the Executive Committee of the Estate and Business Planning Council of Worcester County.

For her dedication to mentoring younger attorneys, especially women, the Women’s Bar Association named Nina an Emerging Women Leaders in the Law Honoree in 2024.