We are pleased to announce that on July 1, 2023, Jahnz & Associates welcomed back attorney Amy Adkins as a pivotal asset to its generational law practice. Amy has over 17 years of experience as an attorney and is excited to be part of a firm dedicated to helping families plan for their futures and counsel families through unexpected life events.

We at Jahnz & Associates believe that it takes more than just “book smarts” to be a successful attorney and counselor. Amy stands above the rest as a guardianship attorney, as she has significant personal and educational experiences with medical issues often encountered during guardianships and special needs planning. As an undergraduate, Amy completed a concentration in genetics. As a mother and daughter, Amy has navigated issues relating to autism, mental illness, and special education. Amy’s experience provides a level of understanding that allows her to counsel and advocate for her clients during various life stages and tough situations. As a court-appointed guardian, Amy will be the person holding her client’s hand through medical procedures and other difficulties with patience and grace.

Some fun facts about Amy:

• Favorite Book: Is To Kill a Mockingbird

• Favorite TV Show: This is Us

• Life Motto: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required” - JFK

Outside of counseling her clients, Amy enjoys reading and spending time with her two children and two very spoiled cats.

Amy believes that her personal background gives her a “deep understanding and empathy for persons who find themselves facing a loved one’s mental illness or debilitating disability, caring for a child or adult with special needs, or facing the death of a loved one.”

Please drop a comment and help us welcome Amy to the firm! If you are interested in setting up a consultation, please contact our office at (832) 702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com.

Don’t forget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and… estate plan?? Yes, even your summer vacation should remind you to have your affairs in order. Watch the video below for tips from our Managing Attorney, Stephanie Jahnz.

Stephanie Jahnz had the privilege of presenting “Estate Planning YOLO! (You Only Live Once!)” to the Montgomery Lake Conroe Centennial Lions Club.

Visit The Courier of Montgomery County’s article to learn why an Estate Plan is important to protect you and your family.

If you have questions about generational law, contact Jahnz & Associates to set up a consultation at 832-702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com.

“Planning the future your family deserves”® involves a client-centered estate plan, including planning for your future care.

A last will and testament or trust are only two documents in a comprehensive estate plan. Other documents that should be discussed are medical and financial powers of attorneys, advanced directives/living will, and a declaration of guardian in case of later need. By having a comprehensive plan, you help your family to prepare for your future needs and to minimize any future unmet needs.

Having a plan in place can also help to minimize the burden on your family. “The cost of caregiving: When financial and emotional stress compound” discusses a recent study from Fidelity Investments that showed:

• 62% of caregivers report being occasionally overwhelmed with financial stress.

• Of those who stepped back from their careers to focus on caregiving - whether for one’s kids, or for one’s elderly parents - the average time out of the workforce was 20 months, and 53% said the period turned out to be longer than expected.

• Meanwhile, 37% said they earned less when they returned to work, taking a median 40% pay cut.

Thinking about what you (or your parents) will need after you can make those decisions is difficult for many people. But, if you do not have a plan in place, the alternative often means court intervention to appoint someone to manage the medical and financial needs of the incapacitated person. This can be a long and expensive process that might have been avoided with proper planning.

At J|G Law we encourage our clients to work with other professionals, such as a financial advisor or CPA, to adopt a comprehensive plan that will assist in the event of incapacity. A team based approach allows our clients to better prepare for the unknown, from planning for long term care or assisted living to ensuring that their family is able to best care for them.

As always, if you have questions, please contact our office at 832-702-9669 or admin@jglawtx.com.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tony Hsieh, the co-founder of Zappos.com, passed away without a proper Estate Plan. The WSJ details how Mr. Hsieh, a real estate investor and a tech entrepreneur used a color-coded sticky note system to represent financial his financial commitments. His family discovered this system after his unexpected passing. Now, Mr. Hsieh’s family must navigate the loss of a loved one plus tracing his estate assets to make sure that it is all accounted for.

Making it worse, Mr. Hsieh’s private information will likely now be public due to him not having the proper documents, including business contracts and an estate plan, in place. And, his approximate $840 million estate will be passed according to the laws of intestacy (absent the discovery of any estate plan. documents), rather than based on Mr. Hsieh’s preferences.

Whenever a celebrity or high net worth individual dies without an estate plan, it’s highlighted because of the difficulties the grieving family faces given the large sums of money involved and the public scrutiny they may be subjected to. But, these same rules apply to everyone, regardless of the size of an estate.

Estate planning is not just for millionaires. Most comprehensive Estate Plans are affordable and just as (if not more) important to the general population than celebrities. By having an estate plan, you are not only protecting your family, but yourself.

A comprehensive estate plan includes:

• Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney to allow your chosen confidante(s) to care for your medical and financial decisions if you are unable to do so;

• Declaration of Guardian in Case of Later Need to allow you to request that certain people be qualified (or not) to serve as your guardian in case the powers of attorney are not sufficient;

• Declarations to name who you would prefer to be appointed as guardian and healthcare proxy of your minor children;

• Advanced Directive/Living Will to advise your family of your last wishes; and

• Last Will and Testament and/or Trust to ensure that your assets are divided in the manner that you choose.

“Planning for the future your family deserves” (tm) helps you to determine how your future is handled. Without the proper planning, your state’s law may make these determinations for you.

This year, Thanksgiving will look different for some of us. Whether you’re gathering around the table in person or via Zoom, Thanksgiving is a great time for families to discuss their accomplishments and their future plans.

Your estate plan should be part of this conversation. While some people may dread this conversation, at J|G Law, we strongly believe that this is just part of “planning the future your family deserves” (tm). The sooner you have this conversation, the better off everyone will be, as everyone will know what to expect in the event of an emergency or something unexpected.

Some things you may want to discuss:

1. Does everyone at the table have an Estate Plan? If so, does it include at least a Will, Medical and Financial Power of Attorney, and an Advanced Directive? When is the last time the Estate Plan was updated?

2. If Mom and/or Dad have an Estate Plan, do all of the children know what the plan is? Have Mom and/or Dad explained that Suzy is the executor and financial power of attorney, but Johnny is the Medical Power of Attorney? Do all the kids know that Mom and /or Dad do (not) want prolonged life support and how they hope that the kids follow this wish?

3. If someone doesn’t have an Estate Plan, have they talked to an attorney about putting one in place?

4. What happens to the (minor or incapacitated) kids if something were to happen to mom or dad?

The goal is to make sure that everyone understands their family member’s wishes. This helps to give everyone peace of mind during stressful times of emergency, grief, or loss.