Posted On: AUGUST 2020
Your estate plan must evolve as you age
Regardless of the stage of life you’re currently in, it’s important to bear in mind that your estate plan isn’t a static document. Reviewing and revising your estate plan is critical — because what’s important to you in your 20s or 30s likely will be different in your 60s or 70s. Let’s review some general estate planning guidelines to follow as you progress through life.
If you’ve recently embarked on a career, gotten married, or both, now is the time to build the foundation for your estate plan. And, if you’ve recently started a family, estate planning is even more critical.
Your will is at the forefront. Essentially, this document divides up your accumulated wealth upon death by deciding who gets what, where, when and how. With a basic will, you may, for instance, leave all your possessions to your spouse. If you have children, you might bequeath some assets to them through a trust managed by a designated party.
A will also designates the guardian of your children if you and your spouse should die prematurely. Make sure to include a successor in case your first choice is unable to meet the responsibilities. If you don’t have a will, state law governs the disposition of assets and a court will appoint a guardian for your minor children.
During your early years, your will may be supplemented by other documents, including trusts, if it makes sense personally. In addition, you may have a durable power of attorney that authorizes someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re incapacitated.
If you’re a middle-aged parent, your main financial goals might be to acquire a home, or perhaps a larger home, and to set aside enough money to cover retirement goals and put your children through college. So you should modify your existing estate planning documents to meet your changing needs.
For instance, if you have a will in place, you should periodically review and revise it to reflect your current circumstances. Now that your children are older, you may not have to worry about a guardian, but you might shift the division of assets to accommodate college expenses. Again, a trust may be a convenient way to address these issues, especially if you’re concerned about a child squandering his or her inheritance.
If you haven’t already created a power of attorney, the need is often more pronounced during the middle years. Furthermore, health care directives can complement a power of attorney.
As you approach the later years, your children may have graduated from college and moved out of the house. This usually changes the dynamic for “empty nesters.” Significantly, you may start shifting your emphasis from college savings to asset preservation, with appropriate revisions to estate planning documents.
Once you’ve reached retirement, you can usually relax somewhat, assuming you’re in good financial shape. But that doesn’t mean estate planning ends. It’s just time for the next chapter.
For instance, you may be inclined to change bequests in your will, perhaps adding provisions to include grandchildren born in recent years. Or, if there’s been a family conflict, you may wish to “disinherit” family members by removing them from your will. Depending on the situation, a codicil may suffice. Proceed cautiously, with our help, to ensure that you minimize or eliminate any potential challenges by the party or parties being excluded.
The same principles apply to a power of attorney. It may be advisable to designate a different agent or name a new successor. A divorce can also precipitate amendments to your estate plan.
If you haven’t already done so, have us draft a living will to complement a health care power of attorney. This document provides guidance in life-ending situations and can ease the stress for loved ones.
Finally, create or fine-tune, if you already have one written, a letter of instructions. Although not legally binding, it can provide an inventory of assets and offer directions concerning your financial affairs.
Updating and revising your estate plan today can provide you peace of mind that your loved ones will be taken care of in the future. We can help you determine if any revisions are needed.
© 2020