A few weeks ago, a woman called on a Wednesday afternoon, needing a Will. She had just discovered that she had breast cancer, and she needed to have a mastectomy because the lump was quite large. She was having surgery on the next Monday.

The trouble was that she also had emphazema, and the surgery was risky. The doctors were concerned about her lungs, but the surgery still had to be done and right away.

She had no Will, and no power of attorney, so nobody was authorized to make her health care choices, if she couldn’t.

I was glad to help her, but the problem was the calendar. At the end of the year, people make their travel plans, and that brings up some thoughts about dying while traveling. And so the phone rings off the hook at most estate planners from October to the end of December. I really didn’t have time, but I could get her in a couple of places. It was an emergency and I wanted to help her if I could. When I said that to her, she quietly answered, “I’ve already called several attorneys. They’re all busy.”

She took the appointment I offered, because it was all that was left, but she called back and cancelled. She had so many medical things, like ex-rays, and blood tests, meetings with various doctors before Monday, that she just couldn’t get in to see me.

Remember that if you don’t have a Will, the state has one for you! At the end of the year, the calendars are full. Make your plans for getting your Wills, early and before you are in a crisis.