This week in current events, one tragic and one interesting (to me) thing happened in the news.  First, the tragic thing...the sports world lost a legend in former NFL player and coach, Marty Schottenheimer to his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Second, the legal battle surrounding Brittney Spears' conservatorship came to light.

So what do these seemingly completely unrelated issues have in common?  Well, to an estate planning lawyer, they are both situations that require planning.  One case likely had outstanding planning in place.  The other didn't.  

The point is in both situations, for very different reasons, these public figures lost the control of their finances.  We should take this as a lesson that events could take place in our own lives that could cause us to lose control.... then we should plan accordingly.