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When Is The Best Time To Create An Estate Plan?

We all want to set our families up for success when we’re gone. Many times, most people believe that estate planning is something you do if you’re wealthy, have property, or in the later stages of your life. As it turns out, an estate plan is for everyone whether you’re young or old or if you’re wealthy or just starting out on your career path. If you’re like most people, that may come as a surprise to you. 

So let’s get back to the basics: What is an estate plan?

What is an estate plan?

An estate plan is a plan that tells the government (and your family) what happens to your money and personal belongings when you pass away. If you’ve ever thought about what it’s like to leave a legacy for generations to come, drawing up an estate plan is a big part of making that happen. 

It’s a common misconception that estate plans are only for the wealthy, those with businesses or properties to pass down, or for people in their old age. While those are all great reasons to have an estate plan, they’re definitely not the only ones. In fact, if you’re a living and breathing human being and at least 18 years old, you should think about developing an estate plan. This plan tells your family (and the state) what should happen to you, your belongings, your money, and even your children when you pass away. 

What types of estate plans exist?

An estate plan can be simple, or it can include a portfolio of different documents. But most plans include your will, letters of instruction (what people should do with your belongings and who it goes to), powers of attorney documents (both medical and financial), and beneficiary information. 

What is an estate planner? 

An estate planner is someone who helps you with the ins and outs of creating an estate plan. If you’re thinking about creating your estate plan, but have no idea where to start, this person would be able to walk you through the process step by step. 

If you’re young and don’t have a lot of investments, property, or wealth, you may not need to spend your extra resources working with an estate planner. There are some reputable estate planning companies online that can help you do the same thing. 

Do I need an estate plan?

Yes! We believe everyone needs an estate plan no matter what their financial status is. An estate plan will ensure that you are leaving your family and other beneficiaries in good hands when you pass away. 

Like we said earlier, you don’t want the state to decide where your money goes, or your children for that matter. That’s why creating an estate plan as soon as possible is a wise next step for you and your family. In fact, why not put it on your goal list for 2023? If you’re interested in learning more about estate planning or want some help walking through the process, your SageSpring financial advisor is here to help. Contact your advisor today

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615.861.6100
Jeffrey Dobyns
Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS 
615-861-6102

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Jeff Dobyns has enjoyed extraordinary success providing comprehensive financial planning to retirees, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and executives by taking the time to truly know his clients, understand their goals and develop and execute their ongoing, strategic, financial plans.

Jeff earned his finance degree in business administration from Ohio University and has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades. After serving as Vice President of Investments of Lykins Financial Group, CPA’s, in his hometown of Westerville, Ohio, Jeff moved to Nashville, Tennessee to found SageSpring Wealth Partners in 2002. As its President, Jeff has led SageSpring to remarkable success, holding the distinction of being one of Raymond James’ top independent contractor offices, and a member of its Chairman’s Council*, every year since 2008.

Jeff’s true calling, however, is working directly with clients, helping them plan their financial futures in a manner that aligns with their values and helps provide them with financial confidence. To help meet these goals, Jeff leads the team of Dobyns Wealth Team and also incorporates the expertise of attorneys, accountants and other professionals to provide quality financial, tax and estate planning, and ongoing asset and risk management.

As independent advisory businesses, neither SageSpring Wealth Partners nor Dobyns Wealth Team hold any assets on behalf of clients, with such custodial and brokerage services being provided by Raymond James. As a leader in wealth management, Raymond James has an exemplary reputation and today serves more than $930 billion in client assets through 8,200 financial advisors worldwide (as of 9/30/2020).

In order to meet the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the industry, Jeff is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner**, a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Jeff is also a participant of the Dave Ramsey SmartVestor program.

Jeff’s work and personal life are both guided by his faith and the Christian principles of honesty, generosity, compassion, and integrity. Accordingly, Jeff devotes considerable time and resources to a number of causes, including serving as a board member of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. He is also on the advisory board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee, which works with families to increase their charitable giving to their favorite causes. Additionally, Jeff is on the advisory board for Halftime Institute, an organization that coaches marketplace leaders to discern and engage in their life purpose. Lastly, Jeff serves on the board of the Legacy Center of Nashville, a collaboration of independent coaching resources. He is a past board member of Porter’s Call, a Nashville charity that provides free counseling for musicians and their families, and the Martha O’Bryan Center, which empowers those in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment, and fellowship.

Jeff and his wife, Amy, are raising their family in Brentwood where they are members of the Brentwood Baptist Church, and their children, Gracyn, Hunter, and twins Tanner and Logan, attend the Christ Presbyterian Academy. For recreation, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing and just being outdoors.

* Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually.

**Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

SmartVestor is an advertising and referral service for investing professionals (“SmartVestor Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions (“Ramsey Solutions”). Pursuant to an arrangement between Ramsey Solutions, SageSpring Wealth Partners and your advisor, your advisor pays Ramsey Solutions a flat monthly fee to: (a) be a SmartVestor Pro, (b) advertise services through the SmartVestor website, and (c) receive client referrals in the form of an initial introduction to interested consumers who are located in your advisor’s Pros geographic region. SageSpring Wealth Partners does not endorse and are not affiliated with Ramsey Solutions, except with respect to the arrangement described above, and neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are officers or employees of SageSpring Wealth Partners. Further, neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are authorized to provide investment advice or act in any way on behalf of SageSpring Wealth Partners, except in connection with providing your contact information to your advisor.

Ramsey Solutions’ relationship and agreement is between SageSpring Wealth Partners only. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the solicitor arrangement between Ramsey Solutions and SageSpring Wealth Partners.

Raymond James is not affiliated with any of the organizations mentioned above.