A Note From Me from February 2025

I recently had the chance to listen to my father-in-law (Pops) excitedly plan a trip around town using a WAYMO self-driving car, and it made me reflect on just how much the world has changed. At 76, he’s seen so much of life, yet he's still passionate about the latest technology and adventures. It’s amazing to think how different the automotive industry looks from when he was a child—and just as amazing to consider how different it will look when my own children turn sixteen. Will Pops be in a flying car then?

This got me thinking about how rapidly the world evolves—and how crucial it is to plan for the future. And that brings me to a topic close to my heart: estate planning.

Time marches on, and technology and innovation are ever-present. While we can’t always predict what’s coming next, one thing is certain: failing to plan is planning to fail. That’s why Ben and I are prioritizing an update to our  personal estate plan. It’s not just about managing real estate or caring for our minor children; it’s about ensuring that our adult children have the proper power of attorney and healthcare directives, in place especially when they’re away from home.

The push to plan began last year with business succession planning for North Valley Mechanical, which transitioned into Way Cool Plumbing & Air. As my parent's family owned and operated business grew and evolved, my parents, brothers, and I realized the importance of having a clear and thoughtful plan in place—not just for personal assets but for family, business operation, and tax strategies.

The greatest gift we can leave our loved ones is a roadmap for how to manage our wishes and assets so they can focus on grieving a loss, not navigating complex legal or financial decisions. That’s why we’ve chosen to work with Joe and Anica Parker at Parker Law Team, PLLC. They have a deeply personal approach to estate planning, and I have a great deal of respect for them. They’ve helped our entire family, and they’ve taken care of several of my clients and friends as well.

This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to think about your loved ones. If you don’t have an estate plan—or if it’s been more than five years since you’ve had yours reviewed—I highly encourage you to reach out to Parker Law Team. If you own a business, you may also want to consult on business succession planning as well. It’s one of the best decisions you can make to ensure that your family and your livelihood are taken care of, no matter what the future holds.

And as always, if you or someone you know is planning a move in the next 12-18 months, I would love an introduction! I’m always here, ready to help—and no matter the season, I truly love what I do and the difference it makes in people's lives.

Cheers to the future of flying cars & I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!