It seems there’s a reason why Baby Boomers were once known as the “me” generation. A recent report by the L.A. Times reveals that many of them plan to spend every dime they’ve made before they die, leaving nothing behind for their children. Whether you call this selfishness or poor estate planning (after all, spending all of your money before you die leaves precious little with which to bury the body!), it certainly seems a sad state of affairs. Perhaps this is an aberration that exists largely in glitz-and-glam places like L.A. and New York. One hopes that there is a more selfless sensibility in Colorado. Estate planning attorneys certainly hope so!

We live in a materialistic culture. There’s no doubt about that. But what happened to the idea of leaving a legacy behind? Since time immemorial, humankind has sought immortality.  The only form of immortality we’ve found so far is in the mark we leave behind. Our children, our friends and loved ones, and the memories they have of us is the only real immortality we have. Don’t we owe it, then, to people to better plan our estate, and take care of those who come after?

Estate planning laws are complicated, from wills and trusts to powers of attorney and living wills, to issues of guardianship. In Colorado, estate planning attorneys exist to help people navigate these laws. If the unthinkable happens, a good estate planning attorney can make sure that you haven’t left those behind out in the cold. While we may not be as fast-paced as Hollywood, Castle Rock estate attorneys have every bit as much expertise and concern for our clients’ rights.

Really, in the end, making a concerted effort to spend every dime before you die is not only selfish, it serves no good end. You can’t take it with you, so why not leave something behind for those you love?