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Home » Estate Planning » New Parent, New Priorities: Why You Must Update Your Estate Plan

New Parent, New Priorities: Why You Must Update Your Estate Plan

June 17, 2025Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Black Family Wealth, Black Wealth

estate plan

⏱️ This will take you 6 minutes to read—and could protect your child for a lifetime.

Becoming a parent doesn’t just change your life—it reshapes your future. You now carry the ultimate responsibility: protecting a child who depends on you for everything. Love, safety, stability—and a legacy. If you haven’t updated your estate plan since becoming a parent, you’re risking more than you realize.

Your child’s future shouldn’t be left up to chance—or California’s probate courts. A proper estate plan ensures they’re cared for by the people you trust, with the resources you’ve worked hard to build.

Step One: Name a Guardian—Before the Court Chooses One for You

Imagine this: something happens to you and your child’s other parent. Without a legally named guardian, the decision of who raises your child lands in the hands of a judge—often a stranger to your values, your family, and your wishes.

When you name a guardian in your will, you gain control over who steps in. You choose someone whose parenting style aligns with yours—someone you trust to nurture your child’s future.

Bonus: California also allows temporary guardianship. If you’re ever in an emergency or unavailable for a short period, your child won’t end up in foster care or with strangers.

Want to learn how to legally name a guardian and protect your child’s future?

Join us July 8th in Inglewood for our free Wills, Living Trusts & Asset Protection Seminar. Reserve your seat here : Limited Seats Available

Set Up a Trust—Because Kids Can’t Inherit Directly

Here’s the truth: children under 18 can’t legally inherit assets. If you don’t plan ahead, the state will appoint a conservator—possibly someone you didn’t choose—to manage your child’s inheritance until they turn 18. At that point, they get everything. All at once.

A trust changes everything. You decide how, when, and why your child receives funds. Want to fund their college? Great. Support them in buying their first home? You can do that. Want to delay full access until they’re 25—or 35? That’s your call.

With a trust, you stay in control—even when you’re gone.

Update Your Beneficiaries—Because Who You Name Matters

Life insurance, IRAs, 401(k)s—these don’t pass through your will. They follow your beneficiary designations.

Here’s the problem: if you name your minor child as the direct beneficiary, the court gets involved again. Instead, name the trust you set up for your child. That way, the funds are handled exactly as you intended.

This simple step prevents court delays, unnecessary fees, and the risk of your child receiving a lump sum at 18 with no restrictions.

Make these updates with guidance from one of California’s top estate attorneys.

Don’t miss our July 8th seminar—it’s free, local, and could save your family from legal chaos.

Secure your seat now

Build the Rest of Your Toolkit
  • Create or update your will – It lets you name a guardian, an executor, and ensures your personal items go where they’re meant to.
  • Appoint power of attorney & healthcare agents – Someone you trust should be able to act on your behalf if you’re incapacitated.
  • Coordinate your life insurance – If you don’t have enough coverage, now is the time to expand it.
  • Create a digital asset plan – Passwords, logins, digital accounts—all should be documented.
  • Prepare an emergency folder – Store guardianship forms, medical directives, insurance info, and your lawyer’s contact info in one place.
Bottom Line: Parenting Without a Plan Is a Gamble You Can’t Afford

Your child deserves a future that reflects your values—not the default decisions of a probate court. Estate planning isn’t something to “get to later.” It’s a form of love. It’s protection. It’s peace of mind.

Whether you’re expecting, adopting, or already deep in diaper duty, now is the time to act. The legal tools are there—you just need to use them.

Take the first step now. Join our July 8th seminar in Inglewood. Learn how to protect your family, preserve your assets, and plan for the future with clarity.

Register before seats fill up

Trusted estate and elder care planning for over 40 years. (310) 677-9787
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Caprice Collins
Caprice Collins
Attorney Caprice L. Collins is a top rated Harvard Law School graduate. She has 34 years of legal experience with a successful law practice devoted exclusively to Estate/Business Planning and Trust Administration. Attorney Collins is a well-respected keynote speaker on Wills, Living Trusts, Estate Planning, Business Planning and Trust Administration. She has appeared on California’s Real Estate Radio Station KTLK AM 1150 as a legal expert on Estate Planning and Living Trusts among many other notable media appearances Read More!
Caprice Collins
Latest posts by Caprice Collins (see all)
  • The Asset They Forgot - August 12, 2026
  • Your Trust Can Be Perfect and Your Family Can Still Panic - June 10, 2026
  • Father’s Day Wisdom: If You Can’t Speak, The System Speaks For You - June 8, 2026

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Client Review
August 19, 2020
    

“My mother told me about the Collins Law Group and I must say, the entire experience has been a real pleasure. Although I was nervous at first, the Collins Law Group staff put me at ease with their friendliness and knowledge. I didn’t realize how hard it could be on your family and loved ones left behind if you die without any planning or directions in place for them. My biggest concern was making sure my elderly mother would be provided for and taken care of if something happened to me. I have been a caregiver for her for 12 years, so this planning was crucially important. I had previously made a living trust for myself on Legal Zoom but there is no comparison to the level of service and professionalism that Collins Law Group embodies. Attorney Collins and her staff provides excellent service and it will take a large burden off of my family when they need guidance at the time of my passing.”

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-Ms. Jones

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