Every homeowner knows the drill: when the seasons change, you prepare. You put the snowblower away in the spring, fire up the lawnmower in the summer, clean the gutters in the fall, and dig out the heavy coats for winter. You rotate your tires, swap your wardrobe, and winterize the pipes. Why? Because each season demands its own preparation, and if you ignore that, the consequences can be cold, wet, expensive, or downright dangerous.

It’s no different with life.

We live in seasons, too. From youth to old age, every stage comes with new opportunities, new risks, and new responsibilities. Just like you wouldn’t wear flip-flops in February, you shouldn’t use the same financial or legal strategies at 70 that you did at 30. That’s where estate planning—and a good team—comes in.

Spring: The First Quarter of Life

Spring is full of potential. You’re growing, learning, and laying foundations. In this season, we rely on our parents and grandparents to guide us. They teach us how to work, how to save, and how to think in the long term. Many of us don’t yet realize it, but estate planning is already affecting us, perhaps through family trusts, 529 college plans, or lessons on budgeting and debt.

This is when young adults start building credit, getting insured, and naming powers of attorney. It may seem early, but having basic estate documents in place even in your 20s or 30s is an act of wisdom, not fear.

Summer: The Second Quarter of Life

By summer, you’re working, raising a family, buying homes, and building wealth. You’re also juggling a million responsibilities. This is when financial and estate planning moves from “I should” to “I must.”

You need a solid will, guardianship provisions for your children, life insurance, and a financial plan that balances growth with protection. Tax planning becomes essential. So does asset protection—because you now have something to lose.

This is also when our team of professionals starts becoming more important: attorneys help with trusts, CPAs reduce tax exposure, and insurance pros protect your income and assets. Planning at this stage builds the safety net your loved ones will depend on if life takes a sudden turn.

Fall: The Third Quarter of Life

Fall brings maturity—and urgency. Retirement is on the horizon. Kids are grown (hopefully), and your thoughts start turning to legacy, long-term care, and what happens after. This is estate planning’s sweet spot.

We help you update your documents, rethink beneficiary designations, and start shifting from asset growth to asset preservation. Our nursing home planners help you navigate the complex landscape of Medicaid and long-term care strategies. Our CPAs and financial advisors help minimize taxes and optimize income streams for a sustainable retirement.

Fall is when planning gets serious, because winter is coming.

Winter: The Fourth Quarter of Life

Winter is the hardest to plan for—and the most important. By now, you’ve outlived some friends and possibly your spouse. Your energy isn’t what it used to be, and your ability to handle legal, financial, and healthcare decisions may begin to fade.

However, this is the season that determines how your legacy unfolds.

Are your wishes documented? Will your estate avoid probate? Have you protected your home from nursing home costs? Have you communicated your funeral preferences? This is where our funeral experts, elder law attorneys, and trust officers become invaluable.

Winter requires a team. You can’t do it alone—not because you’re not smart or capable—but because these decisions involve complex, interlocking systems: tax law, Medicaid, retirement planning, real estate, and more. A professional estate planner, working with a seasoned team, ensures that your legacy is preserved, your family is protected, and your final wishes are honored.

The Power of a Professional Team

Just as no single jacket works for all seasons, no single advisor can cover every aspect of your life plan. That’s why I’ve built a comprehensive team, comprising attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, insurance specialists, eldercare planners, and funeral professionals. Together, we guide you through the seasons of life with clarity, care, and customized strategy.

The final season may be the most difficult, but it can also be the most beautiful, if you’re prepared.

Whether it’s the calendar or your life, one truth remains: you need a plan for every season—or you’ll end up part of somebody else’s.