Put the Fish in the Nets: Don’t Let Fatalism Stand in the Way of Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning, many of my clients remind me of the story of Juan.  

Juan lived in a house right next to a river. It had been raining steadily for about a week when the man, named Juan, noticed that the river water was rising and starting to flood his backyard. Later that afternoon, a sheriff arrived in a patrol car.  

“Juan,” the sheriff said. “You’d better get out of here. We’ve had warnings that a big flood is on its way. Let me take you to higher ground.”  

“No thank you,” Juan replied. “I have faith in God. I will pray to Him to protect me.”  

The sheriff shrugged, got in his car, and drove away.  

The rain kept falling, the water kept rising, and soon it was covering the foundation of Juan’s house. His neighbor, Pedro, was rowing a small boat past Juan’s house.  

“Get in, Juan,” Pedro shouted. “Come with me and you’ll be safe.”  

Juan shook his head and said, “No. God will rescue me.”  

Pedro insisted, but Juan wouldn’t budge  

The water kept rising and soon an emergency helicopter looking for stranded people came across Juan clinging to his chimney. They threw down a rope and shouted, “Grab hold and we’ll pull you up!”  

 “No!” Juan shouted. “I have faith! God will rescue me!”  

The helicopter got another call to rescue somebody who was drowning so they left. Afterward, they circled back to Juan’s house and found that the water had completely engulfed it and Juan was nowhere to be found. He had drowned.  

When Juan reached heaven, he was angry and stormed right up to God and shouted, “What happened? I prayed and had faith you’d save me, and you let me drown!”  

“My son,” God said. “I sent you a car, a boat and a helicopter. What more do you want?”  

There’s a saying in Spanish, “Si Dios quiere,” or God willing. The idea that we are not responsible for making things happen—and that they’ll only happen of God wants them to—is fatalism. And it’s prevalent in our community.  

I remind my clients all the time that while God makes the fish, God makes the nets, God does not put the fish in the nets. And October, which is Estate Planning Awareness month, is a great time to remind you how to put the fish in the nets when it comes to planning your legacy.  

The One Guarantee  

There’s a saying that there are only two guarantees in life: death and taxes. We know for sure that one day we will pass on. Yet, a majority of people do not do their estate planning.  

In fact, in 82 percent of Latinos do not have a will, according to Consumer Reports. That’s the highest percentage of all the demographics. Sixty-one percent of white, non-Hispanic people have a will, 67 percent of English-speaking Asian people have a will, and 77 percent of Black, non-Hispanic people have a will.  

Among the top reason Hispanics said they don’t have a will was that they feel they don’t have enough assets. But that’s a belief we need to eradicate. My friend Saundra Davis likes to say, “If you have body, you need an estate plan.”  

The Key Components of and Estate Plan  

Estate planning isn’t about how much money you have; it’s about making sure your family is protected and your wishes are respected when you’re no longer around.  

Here are the key components of an estate plan:  

• Durable power of attorney. This is a legal document that allows you to give someone you trust—your spouse, a sibling, a close friend—the legal authority to handle your finances when you can’t. This means this person can access your bank accounts, pay your bills, sign important documents, and keep your household running if you are incapacitated.  

• Will. Outlines who gets what and-most importantly-who will care for your children.  

• Trust. Helps avoid probate, keeps things private, and gives you more control over how your assets are used.  

• Healthcare directive. This lets you decide who will speak for you and what medical treatments you want if you’re incapacitated.  

• Guardianship nomination. Names the people you trust to raise your kids if you can’t.  

The Greatest Gift  

Estate planning is not just about wealth—it’s about love, responsibility, and foresight. It’s about making sure your family isn’t left struggling with uncertainty during one of the hardest moments of their lives.  

Like Juan, too many of us wait for a “miracle” while ignoring the tools already in front of us. God has given us wisdom, resources, and the ability to act. The true act of faith is using those gifts to protect our families. This Estate Planning Awareness Month, don’t wait for the flood—pick up the net, put the fish in, and secure the legacy your loved ones deserve.