Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt and informative episode of The Jennifer Hargrave Show, Jennifer welcomes David Feakes, founder of The Parents Estate Planning Law Firm in Massachusetts. David shares his personal and professional passion for helping families with young children create estate plans that ensure their kids are cared for and protected—no matter what. Drawing from his own childhood experiences, David explains why estate planning is not just legal paperwork, but a powerful act of love and security.

He walks listeners through the four essential elements of a strong estate plan: guardianship, financial management, incapacity planning, and legacy preservation. Jennifer and David also discuss why so many parents avoid planning, the emotional hurdles involved, and how taking even a small step can make all the difference. From naming guardians to recording legacy messages, this episode is a must-listen for any parent who wants to sleep better at night knowing their children’s futures are secure.

By protecting children through estate planning, every estate planning for parents roadmap should feature a clear guardianship designation, a secure trust for minor children, precise beneficiary designations for children, a comprehensive will for parents of minors, both a durable power of attorney Texas and medical power of attorney Texas, a robust digital estate plan, and disciplined updating estate documents.

 Full Refined Transcript:

Jennifer Hargrave:
As parents, we love our children. We’ll do anything for our children. They are our number one priority. But the one thing that most parents don’t do is actually protect their children in the event of a devastating loss.

My guest today is David Feakes. He is the owner of The Parents Estate Planning Law Firm, PC, located in Boston, Massachusetts. David has an incredibly important message to share with parents about why estate planning is critical and what steps they need to take to protect their families. David’s mission stems from his own life experience, and he’s here to talk with us about why planning is so essential—especially for parents with young children.

David, thank you so much for taking time to be here today.

David Feakes:
Hi, Jennifer. It’s great to be with you. Thanks for having me.

Jennifer Hargrave:
Absolutely. I want to start by asking: where does this passion come from for you? What’s really driving your mission to ensure parents have proper estate planning in place?

David Feakes:
Our firm is all about estate planning—specifically for families with young kids. For a long time, I thought I was drawn to this because, when I started, I had young children myself. It made sense—families like mine.

But over time, I realized that the true reason came from my own childhood. Estate planning is all about protection, and growing up, I didn’t feel loved or protected by my father. I wanted to ensure that no child would ever feel that way—questioning whether they were truly cared for.

So for me, estate planning is a tangible way for parents to show their love, care, and protection. A well-crafted estate plan says, “I’ve thought about your future, even in the darkest moments.”

Jennifer Hargrave:
That’s so important. And yet, so many parents avoid thinking about or planning for this. Why do you think that is?

David Feakes:
There are several reasons. Statistically, around 70% of families don’t have an estate plan, and most of those are families with young kids.

First, they’re young and believe nothing bad will happen. They think they have time. Second, it’s not a pleasant topic—you have to confront death. But the biggest reason? You have to imagine your child’s life without you. That’s terrifying.

We try to make the process easy and manageable, but people often assume it’s going to be complicated, so they avoid it.

Jennifer Hargrave:
It’s like carrying an umbrella on a day it might rain—you may not need it, but if you do, you’re covered. And just knowing you’ve planned gives such peace. How does having—or not having—an estate plan impact children?

David Feakes:
Without a plan, the court decides who raises your children. A judge—who doesn’t know your family, your values, or your wishes—makes that decision. Worse, someone you don’t want raising your kids could petition for guardianship.

In my case, I had to take steps to ensure my father could not be named guardian because he had no relationship with my kids. Many clients need to do the same—to formally exclude someone.

Estate planning gives the court a roadmap. Without it, even with the best intentions, the judge may make decisions that don’t align with your values.

Jennifer Hargrave:
That’s eye-opening. So what are the elements of a strong estate plan—especially for families with young children?

David Feakes:
There are four key elements:

1. Plan for your children – Name both short-term and long-term guardians. Short-term guardians are crucial if your chosen long-term guardians live far away.

2. Plan for money – Children can’t manage or inherit money directly. You need to name someone to manage those assets and decide how and when your children will receive them. This also includes ensuring you have adequate life insurance or savings.

3. Plan for yourself – What if you don’t die, but become incapacitated? Who will make medical or financial decisions for you? Self-care allows you to care for others.

4. Plan for legacy – This is our unique touch. After the legal documents are signed, we do a “legacy interview” with our clients. It’s an audio or video recording where parents share their values, memories, traditions, and messages for their children. It’s powerful. It gives kids something to hold onto—a parent’s voice, advice, and love—even after loss.

Jennifer Hargrave:
That legacy piece is such a beautiful and meaningful addition. Even for parents of grown children, it’s an incredible gift.

David, I know you didn’t invent the concept, but what a wonderful tradition to pass on.

David Feakes:
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Clients often say it brings everything full circle. And personally, I get something out of every interview. It’s a privilege.

Jennifer Hargrave:
It really is. And you’ve made a great point—death will happen. We just don’t know when. What message would you give to someone who keeps putting this off?

David Feakes:
Think about it from your child’s perspective. Can you look in the mirror and say, “I didn’t create a plan to protect my child’s future”?

You wouldn’t let your kid ride a bike without a helmet. Why leave them vulnerable legally or emotionally? Estate planning is easier than people imagine—especially with guidance.

In our firm, we help clients take small steps: download a guide, attend a workshop, have a conversation. Once you take that first step, the rest becomes easier.

Jennifer Hargrave:
That’s so encouraging. And it reminds me—talking about death doesn’t have to be scary. It can be age-appropriate and even empowering for children.

What do you tell clients about having these conversations with their kids?

David Feakes:
I think it’s very healthy. One client told me her 4-year-old asked, “What happens if something happens to you and dad?” And she was able to say, “We have a plan.”

That brought peace to the child. Whether your kids are 4 or 24, these conversations matter. Holidays, family gatherings—they’re great opportunities to talk. And it models good planning for the next generation.

Jennifer Hargrave:
Absolutely. You’re not just protecting them—you’re teaching them how to prepare for life. David, thank you so much for sharing your story and your wisdom today. We’ll include a link to your website so people can learn more, especially if they’re in Massachusetts.

David Feakes:
Thank you, Jennifer. It was great to be here.

Jennifer Hargrave:
Thank you all for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay with us for more conversations that help families protect what matters most.

Compassionate Dallas Family Law Attorney, Jennifer Hargrave

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