Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 5-18-22

May 18, 2022
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE I BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I 23
Fred L. Vilbig: ‘Good estate planning means a happy ending’
FACEBOOK.COM/MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
BY TRACEY BRUCE
Attorney Fred Vilbig is a storyteller.
He knows the ins and outs of estate
planning, wills and trusts and corporate
law, but in his heart he wants to tell a
tale, share a common experience and
leave the listener with a lesson.
“My mother used to tell me, ‘Remember
Fred, blood is thicker than money.’
What that means is when somebody dies,
people should remember the family,
don’t just go for the money,” Fred said
while telling – and educating – about
wills and trusts and estate planning.
In his law practice over the past 40
years, he has seen a few families that
haven’t learned that lesson.
“I’ve seen all kinds of fights that
develop over the money. It’s really
kind of sad,” he said. “They should
remember the good times with family.
They shouldn’t have to remember the
fights they had over money.”
Fred has a great deal of knowledge
about the importance of planning
ahead, navigating the issues of the legal
system and preserving relationships.
So much so that he created and shares
true-to-life examples – stories – in his
“Law Matters” ads that run in West and
Fred Vilbig
Mid Rivers Newsmagazines.
“At first I thought, advertising
wouldn’t work for
estate planning and corporate
law, but the idea of telling
people about what I do and who I am,
kind of appealed to me. I thought, ‘Well, I
tell stories all the time. I’ll try it and see if
it works,’” he said.
The concept has resulted in success for
Fred and the individuals who read them.
There’s a lot of good information in them.
So, in 2017, he gathered his articles and
published them in a book called “You Can’t
Take It With You.” It’s the story of Jack and
Judy, a fictional couple, and the issues their
family faced because they did not plan
ahead. His target audience includes those
people who haven’t thought about writing
a will or getting a trust, those who haven’t
followed through, and those who need to
update their plans.
“I use the stories to encourage people to
think about these issues,”
Fred said. He noted that
anyone with kids and older
people should be thinking
about estate planning.
“What happens if someone
dies? They want to
name guardians for the
kids,” Fred said. “They
want to make sure there is
a trust set up so they don’t
have to go to court and
also set up a conservatorship
to make sure the kids are taken care of.
“And when people get older they need
to plan for things they don’t want to have
happen. What if someone has a stroke?
What if there is a car accident? What if a
loved one dies? On a person’s death, you
don’t want to be asking, ‘How should the
assets be distributed?’”
Planning ahead can make sure minor
children are protected and grown children
receive their inheritance and avoid probate
court which can cost tens of thousands of
dollars, potentially freeze the assets and
jeopardize a family’s privacy.
“Without a plan, there could be a train
wreck, as in people filing lawsuits, making
claims of all kinds and ending up in court.
Take the time to plan and it’s possible to
avoid that to a certain extent,” Fred advised.
“We’ve had estates that while mom and
dad are alive everyone seems to be getting
along. After they’re dead, the kids break
out into fighting over the estate; and then,
never talk to each other again.
“The loss of a parent is devastating
enough. Parents should plan so that five
years after mom and dad die, the kids are
still celebrating holidays together. That’s
kind of a goal I have.”
For more information about estate planning,
Fred suggests you pick up his book
on Amazon. Then, to make a plan for your
family, call him directly.
Fred L. Vilbig, Attorney at Law
Shands, Elbert, Gianoulakis & Giljum, LLP
By appointment • (636) 537-7884
fvilbig@shandselbert.com
décor
and lifestyles
NOW HIRING
New & Experienced Police Officers
A SPECIAL SECTION COMING AGAIN
6.8.22
Starting pay $55K
TO ADVERTISE CALL:
636.591.0010
Apply Online:
STLOUISCOUNTYPOLICE.COM/CAREERS
(314) 615-7824 THE TIME IS NOW!