I Lost My Parents, But That Was Not the Worst Part

I was only twelve when my parents passed away in a car accident. In one moment, my entire world changed. But losing them was not the hardest part.

The hardest part was what came after.

Nobody knew what they wanted for me. My grandparents fought with my aunt about who would take me. The court had to step in. Strangers—judges and attorneys—decided where I would live, go to school, and what would happen to the little money my parents left behind. And while they argued, I sat alone in a foster home, waiting for someone to claim me.

This did not have to happen.

What They Did Not Have

• A Last Will and Testament to name who would take care of me

• A Trust to manage any finances for my future

• A Medical Directive to make healthcare choices easier during that tragic moment

• Power of Attorney to authorize someone they trusted to manage everything temporarily

The Facts You Need to Know

• Only 32% of Americans have an estate plan in 2024, a 6% decline from 2023(2024 Caring.com)

• In routine probate proceedings in Nevada, it can take an average of 120–180 days to close. With larger and more complex estates taking even longer(Stovall & Associates Probate FAQs)

• In Nevada, if no guardian is named, the courts choose one, which can take months, and your child may be placed in temporary foster care.(AD&R Guardianship Provisions)

If you have kids, or plan to someday, ask yourself this:

• If something happened to me tomorrow, would my children be safe?

• Would the people I trust be legally allowed to care for them?

• Would there be clarity or confusion?You do not need to be rich to plan. You need to care enough to protect your loved ones.

Planning ahead is not about assuming the worst, it is about protecting the people you love the most when they need it most.

If you are reading this and thinking, “I don’t have anything to leave behind,” you do. Your decisions, your values, your love, and your plans are everything to the people who count on you.

At Dub’s Notary Services, I specialize in helping families take those first steps. Whether you need a simple will notarized or want guidance on setting up a full estate plan, I can help you get started. I offer referral services for professionally assisted estate planning, or DIY estate planning through Everything Living Trust—affordable, trusted resources to protect your legacy.

Do not wait for a tragedy to remind you what matters. Let’s put a plan together.

📞 Call or text me today at 702-782-0137

🌐 Visit: dubs-notary-services.biz

📩 Email: dubsnotary@gmail.com

Note: The above narrative is a fictionalized account intended to illustrate the consequences of not preparing essential estate documents.

Disclaimer: Notaries are not attorneys or accountants and cannot provide legal or tax advice. We do not offer legal strategies, answer legal questions, select forms for clients, or represent individuals in court. As commissioned professionals, we are bonded, insured, and registered to perform notarial services in compliance with state regulations.