This guest post is from Kainat Chaudhary, Regent Law 3L:
This past weekend, my dad became extremely sick, and our family was immediately thrown into chaos. Fear has a way of collapsing time, and suddenly, nothing mattered except getting to the hospital. On the drive to the hospital, my dad began telling me about his assets, how they must be distributed, and other important numbers. He spoke calmly, but with the awareness of someone who believed he may not survive. I was overwhelmed by the fear of uncertainty. In that moment, inheritance stopped being an abstract concept and became painfully real.
Thankfully, after spending two days in the hospital, my dad was released from the hospital. I was relieved and felt compelled to reflect on this incident.
As Christians, we confess that life is fragile. Scripture reminds us that “you do not know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). We repeat this truth often, but rarely do we feel its weight until we are forced to. When mortality is no longer theoretical, clarity matters. And clarity is a gift we either prepare in advance or leave our loved ones to piece together in grief.
The life-giving words of John 3:16 must be at the foundation: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Inheritance is more than money. Spiritually, parents pass down faith, values, and example. Proverbs tells us that “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children’’ (Proverbs 13:22). That inheritance includes wisdom, order, and peace—not just assets. Yet physical inheritance matters too, because when someone passes away, the law must step in and distribute what remains.
Legally, if no will or estate plan exists, the state applies intestacy rules, default formulas that decide who receives property and in what share. These rules do not account for spiritual priorities, family complexities, or international assets. When property spans more than one country, the absence of planning can leave families navigating multiple legal systems while grieving, multiplying confusion at the worst possible moment.
Scripture consistently teaches stewardship. Everything we own belongs to God, and we are accountable for how we manage it. This responsibility does not end with our last breath. Creating a will or estate plan is not a lack of faith; it is an act of love and obedience to wisdom. It is a way of caring for others when we can no longer.
What struck me most was not just the fear of loss, but the burden my dad carried in trying to communicate everything at once. No one should have to compress a lifetime of work, sacrifice, and intention into a conversation overshadowed by sirens and uncertainty.
Christian faith calls us to trust God and also to act wisely. Planning what we leave behind is part of loving our families well.
Blessings to you and your family this new year.
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