The Winslow Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Good Morning Winslow networking event with Flagstaff Law Group as the host for November. Founder and managing attorney Ashley DeBoard spoke at length about the importance of estate planning and why it has become a central focus of her work.
She shared that her father passed away during her first year of college without leaving any instructions for how he wished to be cared for or how his affairs should be handled. The lack of planning created confusion and emotional strain at a time when her family was already grieving, and that experience shaped her decision to go into estate planning so others would not face the same situation.
DeBoard explained that many people assume estate planning is only necessary for those with significant wealth but in reality, it can affect anyone. When someone passes away without a will or trust, state law determines how assets are distributed, which can lead to lengthy delays and outcomes the person may not have intended.
She described a recent case involving a small business owner who died without any estate plan. Because there was no direction for how the business should be handled, the process of resolving the estate cost the family more than $100,000 and required tracking down estranged children before matters could move forward. DeBoard said that situations like this can often be avoided when people take time to put their wishes in writing.
Flagstaff Law Group will host a public information session at the Winslow Public Library on Dec. 12, to help residents learn how to prepare wills, establish advance directives, and organize important documents so loved ones are not left to navigate difficult decisions alone. The presentation is intended to give families practical steps they can take now to reduce stress and uncertainty later.
