This week, we’re excited to spotlight Heidi Thompson, an estate planning attorney whose journey into law has taken her through education, counseling, motherhood, and across multiple states. Today, Hedi helps families prepare for life’s unexpected twists and turns while building a career that gives her the opportunity to do meaningful work and help people when they need it most.

As an estate planning attorney practicing in both Arizona and Florida, she helps clients put plans in place for the things no one particularly wants to think about—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and the decisions that come with preparing for the unexpected. But her path to estate planning was anything but straightforward.

Long before becoming an attorney, she worked as a school counselor and always imagined herself practicing law. She initially pictured a career in constitutional law, but after spending a summer interning at a constitutional law firm, she quickly realized that hours of research and paperwork weren't what she wanted. "I realized, 'I hate this,'" she recalled.

Her career continued to take unexpected turns. From education and counseling to moving her family across multiple states, supporting her son's performing career, and eventually returning to law more than a decade after graduating, each chapter led her somewhere she never quite expected to be. When a former law school classmate suggested estate planning, she initially laughed at the idea. But once she looked closer, she realized the work connected surprisingly well with her background in behavioral intervention—anticipating what could go wrong and helping people create plans to address it.

Today, she especially enjoys working with parents of young adults. While she helps clients ranging from 18-year-olds heading off to college to seniors facing end-of-life decisions, her specialty is helping parents thoughtfully plan for what happens if their children inherit significant assets at a young age. Her estate plans can include provisions designed to give young adults time to develop financial maturity before receiving an inheritance outright.

"I walk them through some very dark times sometimes, and help them put things in place. And it's meaningful work," she shared.

For her, estate planning isn't simply about documents. It's about helping people solve problems, prepare for difficult moments, and create a little more certainty for the people they love. After years of career changes and unexpected life chapters, she has found a role that provides meaningful client relationships and the life balance she values.

She first connected with Sunshine Law Firm at a networking event in Scottsdale, where she met Maddison while learning more about trademarks. She was drawn to Sunshine's approach to marketing and its people-centered focus, particularly because of her own background in counseling and helping others navigate life's challenges.

And estate planning won't be her final chapter. She currently manages two Airbnbs, has plans for a women's business and an experiential road-based business, and someday hopes to open a school. "There are other chapters left to write," she said.

Looking back on 35 years of marriage, raising a family, moving across the country, changing careers, and navigating all the unexpected turns along the way, she sees life as a journey that requires preparation—but also perspective.

"You need to be prepared for the twists, the turns, the ups, the downs, all the things that it's going to throw at you, and be prepared to smile and see what's next, because it's a heck of a journey."

At its core, her work is about helping people prepare for that journey. Whether it's planning for a child's future, protecting a family's assets, or navigating one of life's more difficult transitions, she helps clients put the right pieces in place so they can move forward with confidence.

To find more information or get connected, click HERE!!

P.S. If you are one of our beloved clients at Sunshine Law Firm and want us to shine light on your brand, email [email protected] for an interview!

With Gratitude
The Sunshine Team 🪩⚖️🌞