When most people ask me why I got into estate planning I tell them about having kids, owning a business, and wanting to make sure I passed down a legacy to future generations.

I tell people I was interested and learned about it so I could do it for my family and I love teaching and helping others to do the same.

But there’s another reason that I’ve never told anyone before, until today…

My dad passed away from cancer about 5 years ago.

He was a relatively young man when he died (57), but he lived a full life.

He was witty and sarcastic and loyal and a little quiet at times.

I am a lot like my dad.

Even though I was in my early 30’s when he died, it wasn’t until he was gone that I realized something…

I never really got a chance to know WHO he was.

I know him as my dad. That’s how I always interacted with him.

But he was so much more than that.

And I didn’t get to experience any of it.

Yes, there are people around that could tell me stories about him and about the conversations they had, but it would have been so much more meaningful if I was able to talk with him about it.

About his dreams and aspirations.

About his dreams and aspirations for me and my sister.

About what was most important to him.

I wish we would have talked about all of that. I wish I would have gotten to know my dad as a person and not just as my dad.

So this is my request to you: on this father’s day, when you call your dad, don’t just make small talk. Ask him something meaningful.

If you are a dad, open up. Talk about your favorite father’s day with your dad and what it meant to you.

And think about writing down your stories and your dreams and your family traditions and your hopes for the future. Your kids and their kids and their kids and their kids will relish it forever.

I hope you have the BEST father’s day.

Sincerely,

Christopher Small
CMS Law Firm LLC

P.S. – If you don’t have an estate plan you’re putting everyone in your family at risk (even yourself). Stop putting it off and click here to schedule a time for us to talk.