Happy New Year! As we turn the page on another year, many of us think about health goals, financial goals, and ways to make this year better than the last. But one resolution that is often overlooked, yet one of the most meaningful, is this:
Resolve to protect your family’s future by reviewing your estate plan.
Estate planning isn’t something that’s “one and done.” Life changes, and your plan should evolve along with it. Taking a little time now can help ensure your wishes are clear and your loved ones are protected.
Why a New Year Review Matters
Just like updating your insurance coverage or checking in on your financial strategy, your estate plan deserves regular attention. Life changes, big and small, can affect how your plan works:
-
A new child or grandchild
-
A move to a new state
-
Changes in assets, retirement accounts, or property holdings
-
A new guardian or trustee you want to name
-
Shifts in your health or personal wishes
If you’ve experienced any of these in the past year, now is a perfect time to make sure your plan still reflects what matters most to you.
What to Check This Year
Here are a few simple items you can review now:
-
Beneficiary Designations
Life changes like marriage, divorce, or new family members can affect who should receive your assets. Make sure your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets have the right beneficiaries listed. -
Powers of Attorney & Health Care Directives
These documents allow someone you trust to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so. If your trusted decision-makers have changed, your documents should, too.
-
Guardians for Minor Children
If you have young children, confirm that the people you’ve chosen are still willing and able to serve in that important role.
-
Trustee and Executor Choices
Your chosen fiduciaries should be ready and able to act on your behalf. If someone’s circumstances have changed, consider whether your selections still make sense.
A Simple Step Toward Peace of Mind
An up-to-date estate plan is a gift to the people you care about most. It provides clarity, reduces uncertainty, and offers peace of mind, now and later.
If you’re unsure where to start, or if it’s been more than a few years since your last review, we’re here to help. A quick conversation can often make all the difference.
Wishing you a safe, healthy, and well-planned year ahead!