What do government and corporate executives have in common?  For much of their working career, their investments and insurance have been managed by professionals.  When it’s time to leave the employer and collect the fruits of their contributions, they often feel that they have been handed the keys to a complex aircraft, with no idea how to fly it. 

We have had the pleasure of working with a couple married for over 50 years – a college professor and a retired state legislator.  When the professor retired, they were concerned because they had no wills, but did three grown children, one with special concerns.  Although they were both in great health, they also had no documents in case they were to have an accident or an operation.  Finally, they were confused about how to integrate their retirement plan funds, some small local investments they had made, and an inheritance received in the 1980s. 

Their plan involved getting answers to three main questions:

1. What should we work on first?
2. What professionals can assist us and how much will it cost?
3. Who will make sure it gets done sooner rather than later?

Having an organized plan for their retirement and estate plan enabled them to have an open conversation with their children.