Planning Saved Us: Real Stories of Clients Who Took Control of the ‘What Ifs’

When it comes to planning ahead, some people worry it’s morbid or unnecessary—until it’s not.

Let me share a few real stories (anonymized, of course) from families we’ve worked with. These 3 stories show how advance directives didn’t just bring clarity… they brought peace.

Tasha’s mom had always been vocal about not wanting to be kept alive by machines. Thankfully, she had a living will and named Tasha as her healthcare proxy.

When her mom suffered a sudden aneurysm, there were no frantic calls. No second-guessing. No arguing among siblings.

Doctors knew what to do, and Tasha knew her mom’s voice was still guiding the decisions.

“It didn’t take away the grief,” she said. “But it took away the fear of doing the wrong thing.”

Michael’s father had early signs of dementia and decided to put a financial power of attorney in place. When things progressed quickly, Michael was able to handle bills, sell the car, and manage his dad’s affairs without court involvement or family conflict.

The paperwork saved time, stress, and money.

“We could focus on care—not court dates.”

Camille was just 30 when she collapsed while traveling out of state. She had completed her healthcare proxy just months earlier. Her best friend—who was listed as her agent—got the call.

Because the form was complete, doctors followed the proxy’s guidance even though her family lived hours away.

“She had a voice in that room,” her friend told us. “That made all the difference.”

Planning isn’t just for “someday.”

It’s for the moments you never see coming.

These families didn’t plan out of fear—they planned with love.

And when life threw the unexpected their way, they were ready.