Have you taken time this year to review your estate plan or think about how your legacy will carry forward? With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the perfect moment to pause and check in on your planning. It is easy to let the months fly by while juggling work, family, and life’s many demands, but your estate planning deserves attention too. 

Whether your goal is to minimize stress for your loved ones, avoid unnecessary court involvement, or make sure your legacy is protected, reviewing your planning before the year closes can make a real difference. Let’s explore three meaningful steps you can take now to finish the year strong and start the next one with confidence. 

1. Review your current estate planning tools 

Take a few minutes to locate and review your core planning tools. These may include your last will and testament, trust agreement, durable powers of attorney, and health care planning tools. Are the people you named still the right choices? Do your wishes reflect your current circumstances, values, and priorities? Have there been any marriages, births, deaths, or other family changes since you last reviewed your plan? A quick review with your attorney can help make sure everything is still aligned with your intentions. 

2. Update your beneficiary designations 

Many people forget that certain assets, like retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death accounts, pass outside of your last will and testament or trust agreement. These types of assets rely entirely on the beneficiary designations you set up. Before the year ends, confirm that your beneficiary designations are up to date, coordinated with your estate plan, and do not accidentally create conflict or confusion. 

3. Plan ahead for long-term care needs 

Long-term care is one of the most significant financial and emotional considerations in later life. Even if you are healthy now, planning ahead can help you protect your assets and secure the right care should your needs change. Medicaid planning, long-term care insurance, and clearly outlining your wishes with your loved ones can all help reduce stress and avoid costly last-minute decisions. Your attorney can help you evaluate your options and build a plan that supports your goals. 

We know this blog may raise more questions than it answers. That is a good thing. It means you are thinking ahead and taking your planning seriously. Our firm is here to guide you with compassionate legal support designed to protect what matters most. Let us help you get your planning in order before the year wraps up. Contact us today to schedule your year-end consultation and keep your family’s future on the right track.