Why Estate Planning Matters: A Cautionary Tale of Evans Lee Jr.

Why Estate Planning Matters: A Cautionary Tale of Evans Lee Jr.

December 16, 2024

When I talk about estate planning, I often hear, “I don’t have enough to worry about a will,” or “That’s just for wealthy people, right?” But let me share a real-life story that underscores why estate planning isn’t just for the rich—it’s for everyone who has worked hard to build something and wants to protect it.

Evans Lee Jr. lived in DeKalb County, Georgia. He wasn’t a millionaire or a celebrity—he was an everyday person who, like so many of us, had a home and a family who loved him. When he passed away without a will, his family expected to go through the typical probate process to settle his estate. Instead, they were blindsided by a nightmare scenario.

Before the family could file the necessary probate documents, a fraudster stepped in. Claiming to be an heir, this person petitioned the probate court, was named the administrator of Evans’ estate, and quickly began dismantling it. They drained any value left in the estate, let the house fall into foreclosure, and left nothing for Evans’ family—not even his ashes.

By the time the family won their legal battle to reclaim the estate, it was too late. There was no money, no property, no legacy left for them to hold onto. And this wasn’t some distant, high-profile case—it was right here in our community, and it’s a devastating example of what can happen when there’s no estate plan in place.

Estate Planning Is for Everyone

This story isn’t meant to scare you—it’s meant to empower you. Estate planning isn’t just about wealth or assets; it’s about protecting what matters most. It’s about making sure your hard work benefits your loved ones and not someone else’s greed or the red tape of the court system.

For Black families, this is especially critical. Studies show that the racial wealth gap is staggering. For example, here in Atlanta, the median household wealth for White families is 46 times greater than that of Black families. While estate planning won’t singlehandedly solve systemic disparities, it is a crucial tool for keeping what we have worked for in our families and transferring it to the next generation. Without it, we risk losing everything we’ve worked so hard for.

Whether you have a home, a car, a small business, kids, grandkids, a pet, or a cherished family heirloom, you have a legacy worth protecting. An estate plan gives you control over how your assets are managed, who gets what, and how your wishes are honored. Without it, the state’s intestacy laws will decide for you, and that can leave your family vulnerable to exactly the kind of chaos that Evans’ family faced.

What Can You Do Today?

Having an estate plan is a critical way for us to start growing generational wealth. If you’re reading this, it’s time to take the next step. Start with the basics:

• Create an account on the Filing Activity Notification System: This technically isn't estate planning but it can protect your from probate fraud! You can register your name, property location, and other information and be notified if anything is filed using your name or pertaining to the address you entered. Best part, this tool is FREE. www.fans.gsccca.org. 
• Create a Will: It’s your roadmap for what happens to your personal and real property when you’re gone.
• Power of Attorney Documents: These ensure your finances and healthcare decisions are handled by someone you trust if you become incapacitated.
• Consider a Trust: For larger or more complex estates, a trust can help avoid probate altogether.

At Wills for the People, I’ve worked hard to make this process accessible and approachable for everyone. Estate planning isn’t about how much you have—it’s about protecting what you have and the people you care about.

Let’s not leave your legacy to chance. Book a consultation today at Wills for the People, and let’s get started on your plan. Your family—and your future—deserve it.