Between Thanksgiving, holiday travel, and all the festivities that fill up November and December, this time of year is a blur for most families. If your estate plan has been sitting on your to-do list, this is the easiest window you’ll have to check it off for a while. Here’s why it’s worth creating your plan now, before the holidays and new year come.
This Year Probably Changed Something
Think back over the last 12 months. It’s likely that a grandchild was born, someone moved, got married, started a business, or sold one. Maybe your kids are older now, or your parents need a little more support than they used to.
Life doesn’t pause for your estate plan to catch up with it. Plans go out of date quietly, a little at a time, and most people don’t notice until it actually matters. The end of the year is a natural point to stop and ask yourself the honest question: does this plan still reflect where my family actually is right now?
“It helped us plan way in advance so we’re not blindsided by life.” – Bruce
The Holidays Put Your Family in One Room
Over the next few weeks, you’ll likely see the people your plan is actually for, all in the same room at the same time. Your spouse, your kids, and maybe your parents. Sitting at the same table gives you a rare chance to actually talk through the things your family’s been meaning to bring up.
If there’s a question you’ve been wanting to ask a parent about their wishes, or a conversation your family has been putting off, the holidays can be a natural time to finally have it. A finished plan gives everyone stability, instead of something vague to worry about.
“We have a blended family and a special needs daughter with lots of questions that needed answers… The staff made our complex situation feel manageable and gave us peace of mind.” – Barbara
More of Your Family Will be on The Road
With holiday travel and relatives flying in from out of town, more of your family will likely be away from home over the next two months than at almost any other point in the year.
That’s part of what makes the season memorable and special. It’s also a good reason to make sure that all the basics are in place. A finished plan means that if anything happens while everyone’s out and about, your family already knows what to do and who’s making the calls. You can make sure your family isn’t left guessing.
“It’s not for you, it’s a gift to your family in case the worst happens.” – Melissa
A Finished Plan is One Less Thing to Carry Into The New Year
We’re not asking you to rush a decision that deserves real thought. Estate planning isn’t something to finish over a weekend.
But a plan that’s done, not just started, means you get to walk into the new year with one less open question sitting in the back of your mind. Instead of “we really need to deal with that,” it becomes “that’s taken care of.” That’s a good feeling to carry into the new year, and a good gift to give the people who’d otherwise be left figuring it out without you.
“We’ve known that we needed to get our affairs in order for years now and kept putting it off… We have a solid trust and it’s a relief to know that we finally have that important task complete.” – Curt
Where to Start
You don’t need every answer today, it just starts with a conversation.
We’ll sit down, talk through where things stand, what’s changed for your family this year, and what the next step actually looks like, at whatever pace makes sense for you.
Your plan should work whether your family is gathered around one table this year or scattered across the states. Either way, we want you to walk into the holidays knowing it’s handled.
Let’s talk it through before the season gets away from us. Schedule a conversation and we’ll take it from there.
These are public client reviews. Clients have not been compensated for them. Results are not guaranteed and may vary by case.
