The new year offers us a fresh start, a chance to reflect, get organized, and set intentions. Every year, I like to think of a guiding word like “joy” or “peace” to inspire my goals or resolutions. If peace of mind is what you are seeking in the new year, organizing your estate plan now can be a meaningful step toward achieving it. By getting your estate plan in good shape, you’re not just simplifying your life, you’re ensuring your loved ones are cared for in the future. ORGANIZE YOUR ASSETS. Estate planning requires organization; one of the first steps is locating all your assets. Make sure you have all the information for your bank accounts, savings, investments, life insurance policies, and any other necessary legal paperwork. Create a detailed list of your assets, including real estate, stocks, heirlooms, and any valuable items to your family. Along with the list, it’s essential to explain where your documents and assets are. The best method is to keep estate plan records in the same place, like a safe or file cabinet. Make sure your family and executors know where everything is. CONSIDER DIGITAL ASSETS. In today’s technology-driven world, you likely also have important digital assets to protect. You might have cherished photos or crucial documents saved on your computer or social media accounts. If NEW YEAR, NEW PEACE OF MIND Estate Planning Tips for a Fresh Start
these are password-protected, make sure you designate someone who will have access to your digital information, like logins and passwords.
SHARE DETAILS WITH YOUR LAWYER. Working with an experienced estate planning lawyer will ensure you have guidance through the process and a backup for all your essential documents. We provide online or in-person documents to help you track your assets, executors, and beneficiaries and plan out vital elements in your will or trust. We can help you get organized, and if you lose any important documents, we will have copies so your loved ones don’t run into any issues. Organizing your estate plan now can bring peace of mind as you enter the new year. With everything in place, you can close the loop in your head and ensure your loved ones have clarity on your wishes.
–Cherish De la Cruz
HELPING CLIENTS FIND THEIR WAY M eet K aitlin H ocker At The Manely Firm, our attorneys are passionate about seeking justice for clients and providing empathetic guidance through some of life’s most challenging legal matters. Associate Attorney Kaitlin Hocker is always honest and realistic with clients, acting as an emotional soundboard while providing a real strategy to move forward. encouraging, and we have such a wealth of knowledge at the firm, so when we deal with these complex issues, I know someone’s going to have the answer for it.” Since joining the firm, Kaitlin has become a go-to attorney for TPO cases and shared her expertise by leading a webinar on the topic for our team. She is also bilingual, helping us serve Spanish speakers.
“They’re coming to us because they need help,” she said. “We work to try to set the client’s expectations and also try to meet their goals as best as possible, even if the facts aren’t favorable.” Though Kaitlin is new to the field, she’s already made a difference. In 2023, she graduated from the Georgia School of Law and worked for the Jane W. Wilson Clinic, specializing in temporary protective orders (TPOs) for domestic violence victims. This was her first experience with family law. She began working for a civil litigation firm but found she missed working with clients on TPO cases. As she began to search for a better fit, she discovered The Manely Firm, and we hired her in March. “It’s definitely one of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had,” she said. “The people I work with are just really nice and
Kaitlin is a local movie theater buff and loves long- distance running, participating in several marathons and trying to get runs in every week. For her, “there’s really no winning or losing in family law” cases; it’s about compromise. She strives to use every resource available for clients while setting reasonable expectations and finding the right emotional balance. “I love to listen to them. I love to be kind of a sounding board for them emotionally, but at the same time, you have to put your emotional guardrails up a little bit because the best way I can be an attorney is if I’m also preserving myself.” We are thrilled to have Kaitlin on our team, where her dedication shines through every day.
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