Hank and Jean Luce, Auguie Henry Society members since 2006, encourage their friends in second marriages to consider creating a will or trust as a way to alleviate stress that can occur between blended families.
The couple married 15 years ago, a second marriage for both. Between them, they have five grown children. The couple sees their estate plan as an act of stewardship but also a gift to each other and to their blended family.
“With a blended family you need to set in motion what needs to be done in the event of your death so that there isn’t conflict or unsettledness with the children,” Hank said. “We don’t know when the Lord is coming, but he calls us to be good stewards of all that he has given to us.”
The couple first contacted the Foundation to begin their estate plan after Hank experienced a heart attack and subsequent heart-related health problems.
“We started to do some serious thinking. I also had in mind one of my dearest friend, whose husband died in his early 40s. They did not have an estate plan and she had a financial mess to deal with after his death,” Jean said.
A Foundation representative visited with the Luces in their home and answered questions about a living will and trust. At that time, Hank and Jean also named a successor trustee who will handle all financial matters if they ever become mentally or physically unable to make decisions on their own. An attorney finalized all the documents and because the Luces left a gift to a Southern Baptist ministry, the Foundation reimbursed a portion of the legal fees they incurred.
“We don’t have mega-assets or finances but we want to be good stewards of what we do have,” Jean said. “And I tell my friends to not let cost delay them in taking care of health and financial decisions. The cost is next to nothing and the Foundation will take the time to walk you through everything.”
To learn more about creating a will or trust with the Foundation, call 800.949.9988 or visit www.bfok.org.
Posted on
Fri, June 11, 2010
by Taprina Milburn