Welcome New Member: Cascadia Estate Planning

November 18, 2019

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When I first started attending the Thursday morning Greeters meeting, I was in for a number of surprises. If you don’t go to that weekly meet-up, I highly recommend it. It’s a lively bunch of wonderful folks- full of B2B opportunity and a lot of fun. I was a new staff member and completely overwhelmed by number of new people I was meeting. Luckily, at Greeters they do self-introductions, where everyone says their; name, business and a tagline. Now, I can’t say that I learned a whole lot of names that first week, but I did learn a number of taglines. (Funny how taglines work like that) And one that I could not get out of my head was:

“People don’t plan to fail… they fail to plan.”

This was my first introduction to Joel Smith of Cascadia Estate Planning. Joel is one of the friendliest faces and nicest people I see every week and I’m excited to get to share with you the story of Cascadia Estate Planning.

What is the heart of Cascadia Estate Planning? Why do you do what you do?

My mother was the second of five girls, so growing up, I always had cousins to run around with and aunts and uncles to look up to and take care of me. I went into the service after high school and when I returned from overseas, all that was gone. Grandma had died while I was away, and in her will she had left one of her daughters in charge. However, she left very little in the way of instructions, figuring the girls – as close as they are – would figure it out. By the time I got home lines had been drawn and sides chosen and no one was talking to anyone. It was – and remains – a mess.

Some years later, my brother died after a long bout with a terminal illness. My mom had a power of attorney to assist him in his affairs, but that power died with him. So for several years thereafter, I watched helplessly as she struggled against the coroner’s office, the health department, the courts, and his creditors – all while she was supposed to be mourning her son.

In my first semester of law school I was befriended, and eventually mentored, by a local estate planner. I realized very quickly that the tragedies that had consumed my family were completely preventable with proper planning, and I have been passionate about this cause ever since.

What does Cascadia Estate Planning do best?

We listen. Everyone has a story – a set of values and traditions that guides them. Most hope that will continue after they can no longer speak for themselves, whether because of incapacity or death. At Cascadia, we help people create legal documents that allow their voice to continue to be heard.

What’s one thing about Estate Planning you think most people don’t know, but should?

Everyone already has an estate plan. If you don’t put something in place, the government is all too happy to provide a plan for you.

Why did you choose to open shop in Springfield?

I live here. My mentor’s shop is here, right in the Washburne District. I’ve watched Main Street bloom and grow, and I feel like Springfield – already a pretty cool place to live – is the place to be moving forward. I’m excited to be a part of this great little town’s future!

Has anything about the Springfield Area surprised you, so far?

I’ve been awed and inspired by the extent to which those the business community here support each other. The small business community here is strong and vibrant and diverse. It’s like we’re all in this thing together, helping make our town the place we want to call home.