Estate planning is about empowerment. And in the midst of a pandemic, it’s a chance for people to take control during uncertain times.
In the intriguing presentation “The Psychology of Estate Planning,” Dr. James A. Jordan, M.D. and William A. Snyder, J.D., LL.M. explored how professional advisors can approach this sometimes-difficult conversation with clients. Their unique blend of psychiatric and estate planning expertise offered new insights to the Community Foundation of Broward’s Professional Advisors Council.
The Professional Advisors Council is an elite group of attorneys, accountants and financial advisors who have referred clients who create charitable Funds at the Community Foundation. Opportunities to hear from wealth and estate planning experts is one of the benefits for professional advisors who collaborate with the Community Foundation. Our council now meets via video conference to help everyone stay safe during the pandemic.
During our latest virtual Professional Advisors Council meeting, Dr. James Jordan encouraged advisors to approach estate planning as an opportunity for their clients to “stick your thumb in the eye of fate.”
“These discussions are not about death and dying. They are not about end of life decisions,” said Jordan, of the Jordan Consulting Group. “The discussion should focus on the triumph of rational thinking over fear. It should focus on the victory of wisdom over emotion.”
The presentation encouraged advisors to tailor their approaches to clients in different situations. For example, a client may be making future plans for a business, facing a terminal illness, in a second marriage, interested in charitable giving, or have other estate planning interests to consider.
Whatever the case, helping a client lock in their estate plan often helps them feel like, “a load has been lifted” off their back, said William Snyder, of Snyder & Snyder, P.A.
“It helps our clients deal with the emotions of, ‘If something does happen to me, my affairs are in order,” said Snyder, a former Community Foundation Board chairman.
For clients interested in charitable giving, the Community Foundation is a go-to resource to navigate charitable planning opportunities. We partner with advisors to maximize the giving power of their clients’ estate plans. We help clients take control of what lies ahead.
“I think we give clients peace of mind,” said Nancy Thies, Community Foundation Vice President of Philanthropic Services.
Click here to see a video of the recent Professional Advisors Council meeting that featured the presentation entitled, “The Psychology of Estate Planning.”
To learn more about the Professional Advisors Council and the benefits of partnering with the Community Foundation of Broward, contact Senior Director of Philanthropic Services Mark Kotler at mkotler@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
