Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way
Leaving a Legacy: Breaking the Taboo around End of Life Planning
James Abbott sits down with Matthew Hutton, a man of many hats – lawyer, intimately acquainted with drawing up wills and administering probate; later a tax adviser and an estate planning expert, now author and Church of England minister – to explore the often over-looked topic of end of life planning.
One of the key takeaways from the podcast is the significance of having a will and lasting powers of attorney in place. As Hutton shares, “If you don’t have lasting powers of attorney, what’s called the court of protection takes over. And you really do not want to go to the court of protection because it takes ages, it’s expensive, and so much better to set it out beforehand.” This practical advice serves as a reminder that taking proactive steps in end of life planning can save our loved ones from unnecessary stress and hardship.
Beyond the practical considerations, the podcast also touches upon the emotional aspects of confronting death. Hutton shares a poignant story about his sister Debbie, who died from lung cancer at the age of 49. “She rang me […] and told me the grim news, stage four cancer,” he recounted, “and said I’ve got to sort out two things. I’ve got to sort out my will and my relationship with God.” This personal anecdote underscores the profound impact that facing mortality can have on our priorities and perspectives.
Throughout the discussion, Hutton and Abbott challenge the notion that preparing for the end of our life is morbid or depressing. Instead, they frame it as an opportunity to live with greater intention and leave a meaningful legacy. As Hutton says, “We prepare for where we’re going to work; where we’re going to live, whether or not we’re going to have children, but the one thing traditionally we don’t prepare for is the ultimate certainty.”
Listening to this podcast episode, it becomes clear that confronting mortality is not about giving in to fear or despair. Rather, it is about embracing the precious nature of life and taking steps to ensure that our final chapter is one of peace, purpose, and connection.
As Hutton reminds us, “One day we’re going to die, and while we are of sound mind and fit, whatever age we are, we have the power, we have the opportunity to make things easier for those who are going to follow after us.”