Is your son-in-law a jerk? Armor plate your estate.

Even if you’re young and have only been with Uncle Sam for a short time, odds are you already have an estate. If you have been around for awhile, it may be a sizable one. Maybe worth millions because of property, insurance and your growing Thrift Savings Plan. That’s the good news.

The not so good news is that you may have an adult child with a drug or drinking problem. Maybe your son or daughter is married to a loser who doesn’t deserve to have control over money you may leave behind. How about an ex-spouse? Or two? Or more? How’s that gonna work out when you are no longer in control or here?

Whatever the reason, whether your life is a bed of roses or a getting-worse-nightmare, there are things you can do now to insure what you leave will go to who you want. And when. And in what portion or portions.

Tom O’Rourke is a Washington area attorney who specialized in tax and estate law. Many of his clients are current or former feds. Several are TSP millionaires. Others are on track to become one soon — fingers crossed! He’s also a former IRS lawyer. Been there, done that!

Tom is going to be my guest today on Your Turn