Think estate planning has to be dry and boring? Think again

Havre Daily News staff

An expert on estate planning is giving a presentation she describes as fun and interactive — as well as extremely important — in Havre Monday.

Montana State University Extension Professor and Family Economics Specialist Marsha Goetting, Ph.D., will present “Wildflower Reflections: Families, Legacies and Estate Planning” starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Hill County Electric Hospitality Room at 2121 U.S. Highway 2 West.

“If you think estate planning is a boring topic, then you haven’t been to one of … Goetting’s educational sessions,” a press release about the presentation said. “She has a reputation for her ability to make presentations interesting and useful to participants. She will keep you actively involved by having you answer questions with a response clicker. 

“For example, if a widow dies without a written will and has two children that proceeded her in death, what fraction do the grandchildren receive, if any?” the release asked. “Suppose a husband dies first in an accident and the wife dies three days later? If they don’t have a written will or children, whose relatives receive the property?”

Goetting has combined her appreciation of Montana wildflowers with her desire to help people remember strategies to help them achieve their estate planning goals.

Along with offering treats such as cookies, coffee and juice, the presentation offers the chance to learn how title to property has an impact on who receives it when the owner dies, when a will or trust has control over property and when neither one does. 

How people can avoid probate with payable on death designations, transfer on death registrations and beneficiary deeds also are topics Goetting will address. She will also highlight a Montana statute that allows people to distribute items that do not have a title. 

Goetting has presented more than 800 workshops reaching more than 25,000 Montanans with financial and estate planning information. She has also written more than 75 MontGuides and bulletins and has received national, regional and state awards for her financial management and estate planning programs.

The program is sponsored by the Hill County Community Foundation and MSU Extension. 

People with questions about the presentation can contact Pam Veis at 390-4947.