Fourth Trimester Podcast Episode 148: Estate Planning for Parents with Attorney Patricia De Fonte
What would happen to your baby if something happened to you? It’s a difficult question, but one every parent needs to face.
In this episode, estate planning attorney Patricia De Fonte shares how to create a plan that protects your loved ones, minimizes stress, and reflects your values.
It doesn’t matter how much money or assets you have – every parent needs to have a plan in place to protect their family’s peace of mind.
“Every parent needs a plan that answers the hardest question: what happens to my child if something happens to me?”
— Patricia De Fonte, Estate Planning Attorney
About Patricia De Fonte
Patricia De Fonte is an estate planning attorney and the founder of De Fonte Law PC, where she offers what she calls “estate planning with heart.” Patricia established her firm to create a better experience for clients, one that preserves family harmony, empowers heirs, and thoughtfully reflects their values. Her dedication to estate planning and her clients earned her a spot on the San Francisco Super Lawyers list each year since 2021, as well as the 2021 BBB Torch Award for Ethics in the San Francisco Bay Area.
While obtaining her LL.M. in Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration from Golden Gate University, Patricia witnessed the federal exclusion rate (the amount of money exempt from federal taxes) jump to $23 million. Recognizing that most clients don’t have anywhere near that amount, her professors shifted the focus from tax issues to helping clients in every way possible. This approach includes reviewing insurance, ensuring clients have excellent financial advisors and CPAs, and creating estate plans that reflect their unique personalities and goals. Golden Gate University’s commitment to social justice became a core value for Patricia, and it continues to guide her practice. For Patricia, estate planning is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying, and she truly loves what she does.
When she’s not working at the firm, Patricia can likely be found reading The New Yorker in her backyard under her lemon tree, on vacation, watching zombie shows, or spending time with family and friends. Known for her natural warmth and relatability, Patricia treats her clients as if they were family—at least until Cards Against Humanity comes out, then all bets are off.
Full Show Notes
1. Estate planning essentials for new parents — 00:00:04
2. Patricia’s path to collaborative law practice — 00:01:43
3. Building trust and reviewing insurance gaps — 00:06:02
4. Assets, emotions, and capacity planning — 00:10:20
5. Structuring trusts and successor roles — 00:24:09
6. Private fiduciaries and realistic appointments — 00:28:13
7. Guardian nominations beyond a simple will — 00:30:19
8. Avoiding probate, pitfalls, and dark web — 00:24:09
9. DIY risks vs. insured legal guidance — 00:38:11
10. Free workshops and “Estate Planning with Heart” — 00:43:20
Selected links
Connect with Patricia De Fonte defontelaw.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
Estate Planning with Heart Free Workshops
Learn more Family Financial Wellness: Three Finance Must-dos for Families | How to Maximize Maternity Leave & Paternity Benefits | How to Prepare for Hospital Birth (and Avoid Unnecessary Interventions) with HeHe Stewart
Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection
Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram
The content provided in this article(s) is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Neither Sarah Trott nor Fourth Trimester Media Group LLC are liable for claims arising from the use of or reliance on information contained in this article.