Sandra West, a heiress to an oil fortune and Beverly Hills socialite, made headlines in the 1970s for one of the strangest estate planning stories to date. Her final request? To be buried in her powder blue Ferrari, wearing her finest lace nightgown, with the seat reclined at precisely the right angle.
It’ like out of a movie, but it’s true. And it only occurred because she had a clearly drafted estate plan that specified in great detail what she wanted to happen. Despite there being legal disputes and public doubt, her wishes were fulfilled exactly as she had dictated.
While few wish to be buried in a sports car, Sandra’s experience shows how important it is to put your wishes in black and white. A solid estate plan protects your choices, however unusual or personal they may be. It likewise gives your loved ones peace of mind as well as legal authority to carry out those choice with confidence.
Regardless of whether your plans are a good old-fashioned burial, an out-of-the-box surprise, or something in between, writing them down is what makes them yours. Without it, your intensions could be disputed, misinterpreted, or simply ignored.
Estate planning isn’t for the wealthy or offbeat. It’s for anyone who needs to have peace of mind, open communication, and authority over what happens after they pass away. From asset distribution to funeral requests, everything within your plan matters.
If you’d like to know your voice will be heard, reach out to our office for a free consultation. We’re here to assist in making sure that your wishes during your last days are being met.
