Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Confronting fears isn’t just a personal journey; it’s a critical aspect of financial and estate planning. This is the central theme of today’s discussion, where host Eric Blake, joined by esteemed estate planning attorney Christene “Chris” Downs, dive deep into the unique challenges and essential strategies needed for successful retirement and estate planning.

Key Highlights:

• Untangling Estate Planning: Chris Downs simplifies complex estate planning concepts and emphasizes their importance
• Estate Planning for All: Whether widowed, divorced, or single by choice, learn the critical role of estate planning in securing financial futures
• Beyond the Will: Explore key aspects often overlooked in estate planning, such as incapacity planning and the power of decision-making delegation
• Avoiding Unintended Consequences: Understand how an effective estate plan prevents scenarios like ex-spouses unintentionally remaining beneficiaries
• Intentional Asset Distribution: Insights into the pitfalls of dying intestate and the value of deliberate asset allocation in accordance with one’s wishes
• Powers of Attorney Explained: A deep dive into the significance of Statutory Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney in managing personal and health affairs
• Living Wills and Beneficiary Designations: Clarifying the role of living wills and how to align beneficiary designations with your broader estate plan
• And much more!

Resources:

• Get Your Own Simply Retirement Roadmap 
• Terry Schiavo and the Importance of a Living Will

Connect with Eric Blake: 

• Blake Wealth Management
• Eric Blake, CFP® Facebook
• Eric Blake, CFP® Instagram
• Eric Blake, CFP® LinkedIn
• Blake Wealth Management LinkedIn
• Blake Wealth Management Facebook
• YouTube 

Connect with Chris (Christene) Downs: 

• LinkedIn: Chris (Christene) Downs
• Krupa Downs Law, PLLC

About Chris:

Chris’s motto is “Be Kind” & her motto defines how she practices law. 

Attorney Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs is an attorney at Krupa Downs Law, PLLC in Plano, Texas. Chris focuses her practice on wills, trusts, advance directives, estate planning, guardianships, and probate. She has 13 years of legal experience handling estate planning, probate & guardianship legal matters for clients in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and throughout Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties. 

In addition to her practice, Chris writes and lectures for local and state bar associations, and at legal seminars. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Collin County Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, and the Texas Bar College. She is also active in the State Bar of Texas and served on the Computer and Technology Section Council.

As part of giving back to the Texas community, Chris serves on the board of the Wellness Center for Older Adults, an organization addressing the needs and concerns of Collin County’s older adult population and is treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary to Plano Children’s Medical Center. She also serves on the board of the Junior League of Collin County as Community Strategic Director and is a former Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the organization. In 2022, Chris was recognized with the Athena Award by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service by a Woman Lawyer award by the Collin County Women Lawyers Association.

Chris lives in Plano with her husband, David Downs.

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