Let’s imagine something for a moment. You pass away peacefully in your sleep after a long, well-lived life. Your Estate Plan activates. Your child receives their inheritance — a tidy $500,000.

Now ask yourself:

What happens next?

Do they invest it wisely?
Use it to pay off debt or start a business?
Put some aside for their children’s future?

Or…

Do they buy a new car. Quit their job. Blow through it in 18 months. Or worse — spend it all trying to escape their grief?

I’ve asked clients this question more times than I can count over the last 35 years.
And I can tell you this:

The answer matters. A lot.

Because an inheritance isn’t just about money — it’s about impact.

What you leave behind will either help your family… or hurt them. It will either provide peace of mind… or plant seeds of conflict. And far too often, well-meaning parents unintentionally leave behind more burden than blessing.

I’ve seen it firsthand:

  • Heirs suddenly flush with cash — and no clue how to manage it
  • Family members fighting because expectations weren’t clearly set
  • Children resenting each other because one got “more,” even if it was by design
  • Beneficiaries blowing through a lifetime of savings on a whirlwind of poor decisions

The truth is this…Most people aren’t ready to receive a lump sum inheritance.

They haven’t been taught how to manage money. They may not understand the difference between a gift and a responsibility. They may not be emotionally prepared for what it means to inherit from someone they loved.

Grief does strange things to people. So does money.

That’s why your Estate Plan should do more than just transfer assets. It should protect your family from the consequences of receiving them.

So what’s the solution?

You don’t need to control your heirs from beyond the grave. But you do need a thoughtful strategy.

At Bascom Law, we help families:

  • Set up Estate Plans with built-in guardrails — so inheritances aren’t dumped all at once
  • Create incentives for good behavior — like pursuing education, staying employed, or being financially responsible
  • Delay or structure distributions in a way that makes sense for the individual, not just the math
  • Protect young or vulnerable heirs from creditors, predators, and even themselves

In other words: we help you leave money with meaning.

Ask Yourself These Questions:

  • Does your current Estate Plan reflect your children’s financial maturity — or just their birth order?
  • Are you giving them the tools to succeed, or a stack of cash and a prayer?
  • Have you talked to them about what your legacy means — not just in dollars, but in values?
  • If something happened tomorrow… would they be ready?

If any of those questions make you pause, you’re not alone. This is the kind of planning most people overlook — and most attorneys never ask about. But it’s one of the most important things you can do for the people you love.

This Isn’t About Control. It’s About Care.

I’ve worked with clients from all walks of life. Some with $50,000 to leave. Others with $50 million. The smartest ones — the ones who truly understood the weight of their legacy — weren’t just focused on what they were leaving behind.

They were focused on who was receiving it. That’s the difference between a transaction and a legacy. And that’s the kind of planning we do at Bascom Law.

So I’ll ask you again:

If you gave your child $500,000 tomorrow, what would they do with it?

If the answer makes you uneasy, it might be time to rethink your plan. Call my office and let’s talk through your options. You don’t have to guess. You can build a plan that protects your family, respects your wishes, and leaves a legacy you can be proud of.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike

Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC
770-285-5493