“Move closer to each other and let me take your photograph,” the pretty young girl said.
Andrew and I scooched our chairs closer together and then she said, “Now, kiss.”
Slightly embarrassed, we complied and the flash popped.
Andrew and I snuck away to Sandestin a few weekends ago and we were out to dinner.
This pretty young lady was walking around the restaurant taking photographs of the dining patrons.
Andrew and I are not romantics nor are we big into public displays of affection.
We don’t hold hands as we walk beside one another.
We don’t call each other “Babe” or have other affectionate pet names for one another.
In other words, “Schmoopy” we are not. [Remember that Seinfeld episode when Jerry was dating a new woman and they started calling each other “schmoopy” and his friends gave him hell for it?]
Which brings me to my point today.
Each marriage is different.
Every relationship between two people is different.
My relationship with each of my kids is different.
My husband’s relationship with our daughter is different than his relationship with our son.
My daughter’s relationship with me is different than her relationship with her dad. And so on.
That’s why sometimes Jill calls me directly. Sometimes she calls Andrew directly. And sometimes Andrew and I talk to her together.
Which begs the question, if your children have different personalities and have made different choices in their lives and your relationship with each of your kids is different, should you treat your children differently in your Will?
Maybe—extenuating circumstances such as a drug addiction, looming divorce, or bankruptcy, all but guarantee it.
But I caution you to think first about how treating your children differently from the grave (age differences aside) will impact THEIR relationship with one another. Will it cause resentment and hard feelings?
This is just one issue we explore during your initial estate planning consultation and is the reason we begin our meeting discussing your family dynamics. Having some context and family history allows me to make solid suggestions about the structure of your estate plan to mitigate future family conflict while still fulfilling your intended estate planning desires.
Of course, you are the one making all final planning decisions. I am here as your trusted facilitator and advisor.
Call the office to schedule your initial estate planning consultation today: 850-439-1191
I am currently accepting appointments in January.
After the young lady left our table, I told Andrew that we would be hit up later to purchase the photographs she took.
“Nah,” Andrew replied. “She’s probably just taking photos for the restaurant’s social media pages.” Yeah, right, I thought, laughing inside because my husband knows nothing about social media, but I bit my tongue.
Sure enough, our photographer magically appeared when our check arrived with proofs in hand.
“It’s $13 each or both for $20,” she said.
Oh, what the heck, I thought. I bought both photographs if for nothing else than to have the only photograph in recent history of Andrew and I smooching.
Missing my intended sarcasm, I texted the photo to our daughter who replied, “That’s so sweet!”
Oh, where did I go wrong? I thought my daughter knew me better than that!
Kristen “Don’t Call Me Schmoopy Please” Marks
P.S. As of this writing, I am hiring a new full-time estate planning paralegal soon to help me provide even more ongoing support for our clients. If you know of anyone with prior law firm experience (preferably in an estate planning practice) with a pleasant personality who may be interested, please have them reach out to us.
P.P.S. As of this writing, I am also looking to hire a part-time file clerk. No law firm experience required but past office experience preferred. I think this position would be perfect for one of my retired clients looking to make a little extra cash, get out of the house, and maintain a flexible schedule.
