0723_JohnWhalen_profile - FINAL_Layout 1 7 / 31 / 23 9 : 50 AM Page 1 DEATH IS NOT theEnd by BILL DONAHUE photos by JODY ROBINSON Death is a fact of life , though many of us prefer not to talk about it or even think about it . While pretending as though we will live forever may provide some small degree of comfort , John B . Whalen Jr . says avoiding reality is likely to our detriment . Whalen is in a good position to judge . correction while still in law school , when As a premier probate attorney based in wills , estates , and probate sparked his interest . Wayne , with decades of experience to his Though some might consider the subject Q & A credit , Whalen has witnessed firsthand the matter morose , he deeply enjoys the work . unfortunate aftermath when a loved one “ I like the opportunity to work with For those who haven’t really made plans for dies without having taken the proper pre - peopledirectly , ” he says . “ I always tell people the estate they will one day leave behind , cautions . to just give me a call ; a conversation with why should they ? “ Everybody passes away , whether we me won’t cost you a dime . To be honest , it When there’s no advance planning , I’ve like it or not , ” he says . “ You need to write a doesn’tmatter to me if you become a client . seenit tear families apart . When both parents will , name an executor , allocate property , What matters to me is that you take care of havepassed away and the will has not been and designate a power of attorney . It’s very your family . ” written and no one has been named as easy to do if you do it early . The problem is During a recent interview with Whalen , executor , the [ adult ] children will often fight . that most people don’t do it early ; they don’t he shared his perspective on the rewards of Mom and Dad’s assets are usually not in want to deal with it until it’s too late . ” planning ahead , what to expect after the their name anymore , and have been titled Whalen initially thought he would pursue death of a loved one , and how someone with one of the children purely out of con - a career in criminal law . He made a course like him can help venience.All of a sudden , you have mistrust SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 11 48 |
