Estate planning is often an overlooked piece of overall financial well-being. It’s a difficult topic to consider, and the conversations around it are not always easy. And without any real due date, it’s often the first “to-do” list item that gets pushed off in the hustle and bustle of life.

The past eighteen months have been full of changes and challenges, laying bare the need for an up-to-date estate plan. If you haven’t thought about your plan in a while, let National Estate Planning Awareness Week be the reminder you need about the importance of it:

1. Illnesses and hospitalizations are still on the rise, leaving financial and medical decisions to be made by someone else. Power of attorney documents ensure that “someone else” is the trusted someone you intend to handle your affairs.
2. Your minor children (or other dependents) should be a top priority for your documents. Make certain that you have properly planned for their care if ever needed.
3. Under the best of circumstances, probate can be a long and expensive process. When the system is overloaded, it can become an even greater challenge. Taking steps to avoid this lengthy process will make an inherently complicated event a little easier for your loved ones.
4. Since life is constantly changing, estate planning should not be a once-in-a-lifetime activity. If you already have a plan, you're one step ahead of the game. However, many things evolve during life, whether regarding your assets or beneficiaries, and your documents should reflect that evolution. Even if the changes are not obvious, it’s always a good idea to regularly revisit your plan.

These recent times have been undeniably difficult, but it has given us all an opportunity to reflect on what matters most. While we cannot predict the future, Wright Beamer’s staff of attorneys and legal professionals hope to offer you some peace of mind in the ways that we can help you navigate these complex decisions. During National Estate Planning Awareness Week especially, let us make sure you have a plan that works for you. Contact our office at info@wrightbeamer.com or (248) 477-6300.