By Darlynn Morgan, Orange County Estate Planning Lawyer

The story is told of a farmer who decided to hire someone to help him care for his prosperous farm.  The only applicant was an older man with a limp.  The farmer, a little disappointed, reluctantly offered the man the job but expressed his concern that the older man couldn’t work as hard as someone younger and without physical limitations.

“Don’t worry,” said the older man.  “You won’t be disappointed.  I can work as hard as someone half my age, and besides, I can sleep when the wind blows.”  The farmer was puzzled but didn’t say anything.

A few weeks later, the farmer woke in the middle of the night to the sound of a huge approaching storm.  He roused his son and told him to run and get the hired man so they could tend to the animals, the equipment, and the buildings before the storm hit with all its fury.

He rushed to the bans to see what he could do to protect his farm from the dangerous gale.  His son caught up to him shortly and reported he couldn’t wake the old timer.  This angered the farmer, and he swore he’d take care of that unreliable old man as soon as his farm was safe.

But as he and his son went from barn to barn and shed to shed, they found that all the animals were safely within their stalls and corrals.  All the tools and equipment were put away and locked up.  All the doors and gates were closed tight.  Everything was battened down; nothing was amiss.  There wasn’t a single thing they needed to do, except go back to bed.  The farm was safely sheltered from the storm.

Then it came to him in a flash.  He remembered – and finally understood – what the older man with the limp had said in the job interview:  “I can sleep when the wind blows.”  He shook his head in amazement and went back to the house with his son.  He climbed back into bed, but he didn’t sleep.  All he could think about was a hired man, wise with years, who could sleep when the wind blew.

Can you sleep when the wind blows?

That’s my job as your neighborhood Orange County Estate Planning Lawyer…to make sure your children, assets and wishes stay protected when the winds of life blow.  Like the old farmer, I will help you protect your family and most cherished possessions so you can sleep soundly during the storm.

You can learn more about how I can help you put a rock solid hedge of protection around the things and people you love the most by coming in for a free Family Wealth Planning Session (normally $750) with the mention of this article. However, these appointments are limited to 10 per month, so call (949) 260-1400 to secure your spot today.