Menu
By Hallie Kraus
There’s a specific sort of stillness in the house when the baby finally sleeps. You walk past the bassinet like it’s a wild animal you’ve tamed for the moment, exhaling slowly and quietly, because everything feels fragile now. Precious, yes, but fragile.
No one tells you how often your mind will wander to the future when you become a parent. How you’ll run through lists in your head at 2 a.m., not just of diapers and daycare, but of wills and what-ifs. It’s not dramatic, it’s just part of becoming a parent. You start to see the future differently. Not just yours, but theirs. And all at once, planning for the unimaginable feels not only responsible, but absolutely critical.
A lot of people think of estate planning as something you do when you’re wealthy or when you’re older, but becoming a parent is one of the most important triggers to get your affairs in order. Naming a legal guardian can be a particularly emotionally challenging part of the process but it’s also one of the most vital. If something happens to you and your partner and there’s no legal documentation, the decision lands in the hands of the courts. This is your chance to make your intentions clear and to give your child stability in an otherwise unstable moment.
Creating or updating a will is the next step. If you already have one in place, great! But your growing family means it’s time to revisit it. If you’ve never made one before, this is the perfect moment to sit down and start. A thoughtfully written will can outline guardianship, designate how your assets will be distributed, and help avoid confusion or legal complications in the future.
Beyond the will, new parents may want to consider setting up a trust. Despite what television shows might portray, trusts aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy—they’re practical tools that can help ensure your child is cared for in the way you want, even if you’re not around to do it yourself. Think of a trust as a set of instructions paired with a protective structure. You can decide how and when your child receives money, who oversees it, and what the guardrails should be. Whether it’s used for education, housing, or health care, a trust gives you the ability to guide decisions long after you’re able to make them in person.
It’s also a good idea to review your beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and investments. These often override what’s written in your will, and they’re easy to overlook when life gets busy. A quick review now can help prevent major complications later on.
No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios. However, the unfortunate reality is that 13% of us pass before making it to retirement.1 Part of good planning is preventing an untimely passing from becoming a financial emergency, and life insurance is one of the most pragmatic tools new parents can put in place. It’s there to ensure your child can stay in their home, attend college, or be cared for in the way you intended, even if you’re no longer here to make it happen.
And don’t forget disability insurance – it’s more important than you might think. Nearly one in four 20-year-olds today will be sidelined from work by a disability for at least a year before they retire.2 Your earning ability is one of your greatest assets in early parenthood and protecting it can maintain your family’s stability.
Estate planning doesn’t have to be a grim or overly technical process. It can be a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and think intentionally about the life you’re building for your family. What kind of support would you want your child to have if you weren’t around? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? These are heavy questions, but they’re also hopeful ones. Because you’re not just preparing for the worst, you’re protecting the best.
At Treehouse Wealth Advisors, we know that becoming a parent reshapes everything. From choosing guardians and updating estate documents to thinking through college savings or that first post-baby trip, we’re here for all of it. We’ll help you connect the dots and coordinate the details so you can focus on what matters most: raising your family and living your values.
Ready to start the conversation? Let’s build a plan that supports your vision, your values, and the people you’d do anything for.
Garrison Point Advisors, LLC doing business as “Treehouse Wealth Advisors” (“TWA”) is an investment advisor in Walnut Creek, CA registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration of an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. TWA only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of TWA’s current written disclosure brochures, Form ADV Part 1 and Part 2A, filed with the SEC which discusses among other things, TWA’s business practices, services, and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Certain hyperlinks or referenced websites, if any, are for your convenience and forward you to third parties’ websites, which generally are recognized by their top-level domain name. Any descriptions of, references to, or links to other products, publications or services does not constitute an endorsement, authorization, sponsorship by or affiliation with TWA with respect to any linked site or its sponsor, unless expressly stated by TWA. Any such information, products or sites have not necessarily been reviewed by TWA and are provided or maintained by third parties over whom TWA exercises no control. TWA expressly disclaims any responsibility for the content, the accuracy of the information, and/or quality of products or services provided by or advertised on these third-party sites.
Schedule a 30-minute conversation to get started.
Please fill out the form to gain access to the webinar.
Please fill out the form to gain access to the webinar.
Please fill out the form to gain access to the webinar.
Please fill out the form to gain access to the webinar.
Please fill out the form to gain access to the webinar.
