Getting your affairs in order may not be a comfortable topic, but it is an important legacy you can leave your spouse, children and other loved ones. By organizing your financial, legal, and personal matters now, you reduce stress, expenses and confusion later. A solid estate plan ensures your wishes are respected, your legacy preserved, and your family protected in the event of your incapacity or death.
Estate Planning Starts with Your Legal Documents and Instructions
Begin by establishing key legal documents: a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, a health care proxy and a living trust. These estate planning documents outline how your assets will be managed and distributed. Your will can include details about guardianship for children or pets and specify end-of-life arrangements. A durable power of attorney names someone to temporarily handle your finances if you’re unable to, such as your spouse or an adult child. A health care proxy lets your physician know what you want regarding emergency medical treatment or end of life procedures and not what a family member may think is best. A living trust allows your chosen trustee, which is usually you during your lifetime, to manage and distribute your assets outside of probate, including your home, to your beneficiaries, such as your children.
Compile a Detailed Financial Inventory
Include a complete list of assets and liabilities. This should cover bank and investment accounts (with institution names and the last four digits of account numbers), retirement plans, insurance policies, property deeds, mortgages, and outstanding debts. Include documentation for valuable personal property like jewelry, art, and vehicles. For digital assets—such as digital wallets, domain names, or online accounts—list access instructions, keys, and account credentials in a secure, accessible location.
Medical and End-of-Life Planning
Advance directives—such as a living will and a health care proxy—ensure your medical preferences are honored if you can’t communicate them. These documents should be shared with your healthcare proxy, doctors, and family members. Having conversations now about your wishes can help avoid future confusion or emotional conflict during difficult moments.
Funeral and Post-Life Instructions
Take time to make decisions about your final arrangements. Would you prefer cremation or burial? A formal service or simple gathering? Religious or cultural customs? Preplanning your funeral or memorial helps your loved ones honor you without the burden of last-minute decisions.
You can also choose to become an organ donor by registering online or through your driver’s license bureau. If you have pets, include care instructions and contact information for their veterinarian. For personal property with sentimental or financial value (jewelry, artwork, collectibles), you may wish to specify who receives what—either in your will or a separate letter of instruction
Making the Right Estate Planning Decisions: Review, Update and Plan
Getting your affairs in order isn’t just about documents—it’s about decisions. It’s about showing care for your family, reducing confusion, and making a difficult time just a little bit easier. Life changes—such as marriage, divorce, a new child, or a change in assets—can affect your plans. Review and update your documents at least annually to ensure everything remains current. A well-maintained estate plan is not a one-time task, but a living document that evolves along with your life. What is important is to start the process and get things in writing. If you are thinking about getting your documents in order, our team is ready to sit down with you and discuss tips for getting organized.
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