Many people picture family vacations and landmarks in their minds when thinking about the future. Most people do not give much thought to the less glamorous — but essential — aspect of future-planning: getting their legal ducks straightened out with an Estate Planning Attorney. This expert behind-the-scenes plays a vital role in ensuring peace of mind for your loved ones and you. We will tell you the truth about how bringing on an estate planning attorney is similar to winning the lottery.

Let’s say you wake up on a Sunday morning. With your coffee in hand, it seems like the perfect time to conquer all of humanity. But life has a way of throwing curveballs. If you were suddenly incapacitated, who would manage all your assets? There’s more to it than just having a Will that divides your coin collection. It is a complex dance with wills. Trusts. Powers of Attorney. Healthcare directives. A good estate planning lawyer can help you not only navigate through these murky waters, but chart the most appropriate course of action for your unique situation.

Imagine an estate attorney as a well-trained chef, able to combine the legal expertise with the client’s wishes in order to prepare a plan that is sure to succeed. They can help you avoid problems like a family feud over an inheritance or unanticipated taxation of your assets.

Imagine that you’ve got a Picasso on your wall. How do ensure (without the word “ensure”) you art-savvy granddaughter inherits without causing World War III to break out among your children? Here’s when it gets tricky–the attorney tweaks your will and/or sets up a Trust to avoid public probate.

Trusts don’t belong only to the Rockefellers. You can set up a charitable trust for high-maintenance pets or children with special needs. Your attorney is able to create a unique trust for you, one that’s as special as your grandmother’s secret pie-recipe. You will get exactly what you want.

And oh! Imagine what happens when you choose to pass away while watching your favorite TV series. Yes, it’s humorous, yet it highlights an essential planning tool: the power of lawyer (POA). If you cannot drive anymore, it is the equivalent of giving your trusted friend the steering-wheel. If you’re incapacitated, someone with the right level of judgment should manage your affairs. Do not leave it to fate or Bob, who may be less trustworthy.

Now let’s have a real discussion about updating your estate plans. The same as updating your wardrobe because, let’s face the fact that neon windbreakers don’t make a comeback anymore, your estate needs a freshening to fit life’s changing scenarios. Marriage, divorces or births are all factors that can change the course of your estate plan.

An estate planning attorney is like purchasing the best seat at a concert of your favorite band. While you might be able to get a good look from the back, wouldn’t being in the front be much more enjoyable? Having an expert legal advisor in your corner gives you a feeling of having a backstage ticket. He or she can provide direct insights which cut through all the legalese.

People say a good laugh and a good chat with your lawyer about estate planning are both beneficial to the soul. An attorney’s relationship shouldn’t be one of cold transaction. This should be a relaxed conversation, similar to a discussion of a football game plan with aging friends. The difference is that the outcome will determine whether or not you are able to pass the ball on from one generation to the other.