{"id":1248,"date":"2010-08-11T18:27:46","date_gmt":"2010-08-12T01:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/?p=1248"},"modified":"2010-08-11T18:27:55","modified_gmt":"2010-08-12T01:27:55","slug":"real-values-based-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/real-values-based-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Getting REAL Values-Based Planning or an Impostor?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This is the third in a series of posts on Story Based Planning written by my colleague and mentor, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scottfarnsworth.com\" target=\"_blank\">Scott Farnsworth<\/a>.\u00a0 In this post Scott tackles TRUE values-based planning and what has become a substitute that &#8220;poses&#8221; as values-based planning . . . questionnaire based planning.\u00a0 Here is what <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scottfarnsworth.com\" target=\"_blank\">Scott<\/a> has to say:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In an earlier post I wrote that  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cvalues-based planning\u201d is founded on  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe notion that each client has a  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpersonal set of values that should be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tascertained early in the planning  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprocess and then used to fashion a  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfinancial plan or estate plan unique to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat client.\u00a0 Most enlightened planners  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttoday would concur that financial and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\testate plans based on client values are  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfar superior to the \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcookie-cutter plans that many of us grew  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tup doing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The question with regard to values-based  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning is not whether we should create  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplans based on client values.\u00a0 The  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tanswer to that one is duh-obvious: Yes.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe issue is not <strong>WHETHER<\/strong> we  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tshould do values-based planning, but  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trather <strong>HOW<\/strong> to do it so that it  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tactually works.<strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In other words, <strong>how do we  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trespectfully and accurately ascertain  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teach client\u2019s unique and deeply-held  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvalues upon which their planning will be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbased?\u00a0 What methodology will allow us \u2013  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand our clients \u2013 to look into their  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thearts, to see there what truly matters,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand to then discern how to create a plan  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith them based on what we have  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscovered?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Unfortunately, the widely-heralded  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cvalues-based planning revolution\u201d has  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbeen in my view a case of one step  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tforward, two steps back.\u00a0 This is  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlargely because in nearly every instance  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhat started out to be \u201cvalues-based  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning\u201d quickly morphed into what I  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcall \u201cquestionnaire-based planning.\u201d\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIndeed, with a few notable exceptions,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvirtually every so-called \u201cvalues-based\u201d  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tapproach is designed to be implemented  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tby means of a cleverly designed,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcarefully worded questionnaire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I think that is a tragic turn of events,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> A. \u00a0Questionnaires are blunt instruments  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat deliver cut-and-dried, categorical  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tanswers<\/strong>.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs a result, they seduce planners into  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tseeing clients as cut and dried and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcategorical.\u00a0 But that\u2019s not the way we  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thumans are, especially when we drill  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdown to a values level.\u00a0 We are not pegs  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto be pushed into differently shaped  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tholes, or colored bobbles to be sorted  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinto different boxes.\u00a0 We are each  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunique.\u00a0 We are full of nuances,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcontradictions, uncertainties, and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaces where the lines are blurred.\u00a0 We  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdon\u2019t fit into four or five neat  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcategories, as most questionnaires  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Some would argue that being able to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toffer clients a plan based on which one  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof several categories they fall into, as  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdetermined by their questionnaire  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tresponses, is substantially better than  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe old \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d method of  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning.\u00a0 While it may be an  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timprovement, it is not true values-based  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning.\u00a0 Offering clients a choice of  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcookie cutters is still cookie-cutter  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> B. Questionnaires have built-in biases,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhich are based on the assumptions and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprejudices of their creators.<\/strong> Regardless of whether these biases are  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taccidental or intentional, a biased  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestionnaire skews the results away  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom the client\u2019s true values. When you  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstart with untrue assumptions, you  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talways end up with incorrect  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconclusions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I have seen long, beautiful, and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twell-worded questionnaires that were  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupposed to assess a client\u2019s values and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdirect the planner to the type of plan  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe client needed.\u00a0 Oddly, it seemed  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat nearly everyone using that  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestionnaire was steered toward  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tessentially the same plan, one that  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfavored the aims and products promoted  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tby the questionnaire designer.\u00a0 It seems  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto me that when everyone gets the same  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tanswer, maybe the questionnaire is  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tasking the wrong questions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> C. Questionnaires can be \u201cgamed\u201d by  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclever clients.<\/strong> The process of answering questions in a  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestionnaire invites clients to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsider not just their answers, but the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timpact of their answers on the planner  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand the planning process.\u00a0 \u201cWill this  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tanswer raise or lower the fee?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWill  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthis answer make me seem more wealthy or  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tless wealthy?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWill this answer cast  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tme in a negative light?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWill I appear  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmiserly, judgmental, prejudiced,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\timmature, or short-sighted if I answer  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthat way?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWill I be exposing my  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tweaknesses, and will that allow her to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttake advantage of me in some way?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Human nature being what it is, the odds  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tare high that clients\u2019 responses will be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tless than candid and unguarded.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConsequently, there is a high  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprobability that questionnaire answers  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twill be scrubbed, distorted, shaded, or  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tflat-out wrong.\u00a0 This makes the results  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof a questionnaire unreliable as a basis  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfor serious values-based planning.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> D. Questionnaires lead to dull,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinattentive planners<\/strong>.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tQuestionnaire-based planning doesn\u2019t  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trequire planners to listen deeply and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tattentively to clients, to ask  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinsightful questions, or to employ  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tjudgment and wisdom to discern how to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tweave the client\u2019s life-lessons into the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplan.\u00a0 The \u201ccorrect answers\u201d or the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclient\u2019s \u201ccategories\u201d just \u201cmagically\u201d  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpop out from the responses.\u00a0 Yeah,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tright.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">True values discovery requires careful  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand attentive listening.\u00a0 Each client  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand the stories they tell are alive with  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinsight and meaning.\u00a0 They are full of  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclues and pieces of answers.\u00a0 Real  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpeople living real lives are like that.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe right answers don\u2019t just pop out;  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthey have to be teased out and then  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpieced together like a jigsaw puzzle.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBut when you make a commitment to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscover for yourself \u2013 and for the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclient \u2013 a clear and complete  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunderstanding of what\u2019s really in their  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\theart, their deepest purposes for  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning, you discover that the results  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tare unquestionably worth the effort.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> E. Questionnaires don\u2019t lead to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvalues-based planning. <\/strong> Questionnaire-based planning is neat,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclean, analytical, and easy, but it is  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tincapable of drilling all the way down  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto the values-bearing strata deep inside  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe client.\u00a0 No matter how cleverly  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tworded, a questionnaire can never  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\trespectfully and accurately ascertain  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teach client\u2019s uniquely personal values.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe results are too shallow and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmechanical.\u00a0 The intention may be right  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbut the methodology is wrong.\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>Thus,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhenever planning becomes  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestionnaire-based, it ceases to be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttruly values-based.\u00a0 I call it \u201cfaux  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvalues-based planning.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Please understand that I believe there  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis an appropriate role for  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestionnaires in the financial planning  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand estate planning process, which is to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thelp gather data.\u00a0 I have no problem  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tusing questionnaires as fact finders.\u00a0\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThey just don\u2019t work to discover and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscern significant client values.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> So What?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cSo what\u2019s the harm,\u201d you may ask, \u201cin  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdoing questionnaire-based planning?\u00a0\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s definitely a lot better than the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\told way we used to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The most significant harm is that when  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfinancial planners and estate planners \u2013  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teven smart, sincere, and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twell-intentioned planners \u2013 think they  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tare doing values-based planning but are  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tonly doing faux values-based planning,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthey stop seeking the real thing.\u00a0 They  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbecome enamored with zirconium and fail  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto find the acres of diamonds just over  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe next hill.\u00a0 They take the shortcut  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand never realize they just missed the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbest part of the journey.\u00a0\u00a0 As a result,  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthey rob themselves and their clients of  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe magnificent experience of true  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvalues-based planning.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> Good is the enemy of great.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The moment earnest planners apply the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlabel \u201cvalues-based planning\u201d to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsomething that is not and once they  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstart to believe they are doing  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cvalues-based planning,\u201d even though it  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis really only the \u201cfaux\u201d variety, they  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlose the sense of urgency to discover  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe real thing\u00a0 and are unable to see  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe need to do more. \u00a0Once they get  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlocked in, it is nearly impossible to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tunlock them.\u00a0 As a wise person once said  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin another context, <strong>\u201cthe problem is  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tnot what they don\u2019t know.\u00a0 It\u2019s what  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthey do know that just ain\u2019t so.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> Values on the cheap vs. paying the price<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">While questionnaire-based planning may  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tappear neat, clean, analytical, and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\teasy, it is really only values-based  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplanning on the cheap.\u00a0 The real process  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tof values discovery \u2013 like virtually  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tevery other authentically meaningful  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thuman endeavor such as nurturing a  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfulfilling marriage, raising independent  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tchildren, growing a beautiful garden, or  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbuilding a success business \u2013 can be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdisorderly, messy, intuitive, and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsometimes challenging.\u00a0 It requires real  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twork.\u00a0 It requires that we pay the price  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto come to know, really know, our  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclients.\u00a0 It cannot be achieved with  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclever techniques.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> The Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">To move into the beautiful new world of  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttrue values-based planning, the solution  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tis not to try to come up with a more  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tartful questionnaire.\u00a0 The solution is  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto recognize that their stories &#8212; the  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\toldest and most natural form of human  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcommunication \u2013 are rich and ripe with  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe unvarnished truth about our clients\u2019  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvalues.\u00a0 We just need to ask the right  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tquestions and then listen, really  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlisten.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I have found that the best way to  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgenuinely understand our clients and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttheir values is to ask them thoughtful  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tand insightful story-leading questions  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tin an appropriate setting and then  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettle back and listen to their answers  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twith all the love and attention and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tencouragement we can muster<strong>.\u00a0 I have  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlearned that<\/strong> <strong>who they are and  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twhat they deeply value are woven into  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tthe stories they tell and can be  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdiscovered by a caring advisor<\/strong>.\u00a0  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThat is the essence of what I call  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cStory-based Planning in a Thinking  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnvironment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I&#8217;m happy to say that I use a questionnaire mostly for fact finding, not for developing a values-based plan.\u00a0 I make it a point in every Peace of Mind Planning Session or Whole Family Wealth\u2122 Planning Session to purposely set the questionnaire aside and spend a significant amount of time listen to my clients&#8217; stories. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scottfarnsworth.com\" target=\"_blank\">Scott Farnsworth, J.D., CFP<\/a> is an attorney and Certified Planner with more than 30 year in the estate, business, and financial planning fields. He is the CEO of SunBridge, Inc. and the founder of the SunBridge Legacy Network. He is a nationally recognized author and expert on practical, holistic, family-friendly planning. Scott was recently named one of Financial Advisor Magazine\u2019s \u2018Innovators of the Year.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><a href=\"..\/index.php\/firm-overview\/our-team\/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael  Lichterman<\/a> is an attorney specializing in estate planning and helping provide peace of mind to families and businesses throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.\u00a0 He specializes in Whole Family Wealth\u2122 planning for professionals with minor children, doctors\/physicians, nurses, lawyers, <\/em><em>and the &#8220;sandwich generation&#8221; (caring for parents <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">and<\/span> children) &#8211; and does  so from a Christian perspective.\u00a0 He takes the  &#8220;counselor&#8221; part of  attorney and counselor at law <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">very<\/span> seriously, and enjoys creating  life long relationships with his clients  &#8211; many of which have become  great friends.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is the third in a series of posts on Story Based Planning written by my colleague and mentor, Scott Farnsworth.\u00a0 In this post Scott tackles TRUE values-based planning and what has become a substitute that &#8220;poses&#8221; as values-based planning . . . questionnaire based planning.\u00a0 Here is what Scott has to say: In an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[66,7,166,16,30,38,18,17,75],"class_list":["post-1248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-estate-planning","tag-creating-a-legacy","tag-estate-plan","tag-estate-planning","tag-grand-rapids-estate-planning","tag-grand-rapids-estate-planning-lawyer","tag-grand-rapids-michigan-estate-planning-lawyer","tag-grand-rapids-trusts","tag-grand-rapids-wills","tag-wills-and-trusts-attorney-grand-rapids-michigan"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1248"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1259,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1248\/revisions\/1259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lichtermanlaw.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}