Let’s Get Planning

“Let’s get physical, physical!
I wanna get physical….”

You can probably hear Olivia Newton-John’s voice in your head right now. You might even be picturing the 1980s aerobics outfits that came along with her 1981 hit, even if you wish you weren’t. Did you know the song was originally written with a much tamer meaning in mind—just working out—and it was intended for Rod Stewart? I’ll be honest, I would hate to have seen the outfit he might have worn for the video, had he recorded it.

The music world seems to have been pleased that Olivia took it and made it her own, leaning into its more suggestive undertones. Though many found the song too risqué for its time, so much so that some radio stations refused to play it, Let’s Get Physical became Olivia Newton-John’s biggest hit, spending 10 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, longer than any other song in the 1980s. 

When it comes to estate planning, I’d like to suggest that we take the theme of this classic song in a slightly different direction. Sure, physical fitness is important. But have you ever thought about how estate planning is a workout for your financial and legal well-being?

Like any good fitness routine, estate planning requires preparation, dedication, and a little bit of effort. And much like skipping leg day at the gym, avoiding estate planning can come back to haunt you when it matters most.

Let’s start with cardio. Estate planning, at its core, is about endurance—preparing for the long haul. You don’t just wake up one day and run a marathon without training, and you shouldn’t wait until a crisis strikes to think about your will, trust, power of attorney, or long-term care plan. If you take proactive steps now, your loved ones won’t be left gasping for air when an emergency strikes.

Then there’s strength training. A solid estate plan gives your loved ones the muscle they need to carry out your wishes. Have you ever seen someone try to lift more weight than they can handle? That’s what happens when families are forced to deal with the death or disability of a loved one without a plan in place. A will, trust, and good power of attorney documents give them the legal strength to handle what life throws their way.

And don’t forget flexibility. Just like a good stretching routine keeps you limber and ready for unexpected movement, a well-structured estate plan should allow you to adapt to life’s inevitable changes. Have a new grandchild? Moving to a different state? Learn about a negative medical diagnosis? Your plan should have the flexibility to absorb those changes and, when necessary, to adjust with you.

People often think they can put off planning until they are older. But just as injuries can happen at any age, especially if you aren’t prepared, financial and legal troubles don’t always wait until a particular age to strike. The earlier you start planning, the better shape you’ll be in.

But what do you do if you’ve waited too long and have already run into a problem? Is there still hope if you’ve lost a loved one and found out their estate is headed to probate court? Are there steps you can take if you have a spouse or parent in need of long-term care with no prearranged plan in place? The answer is yes. Just as physical therapy and rehab can minimize the long-term effects of an injury and get you back on your feet, lawyers like me have tools available to minimize the negatives that come when life throws a curveball for which you aren’t ready.

While I fully support getting physical in the traditional sense—take that jog, lift those weights—don’t neglect your estate planning fitness. Because when trouble strikes, you want to be prepared. 

To learn more, check out our website, ElrodFirm.com, then reach out for an initial strategy session with one of our attorneys at no charge. We’ll be your personal trainers for a solid, healthy estate plan.

Now, let’s get planning!