One of the classic holiday songs “12 Days of Christmas” states “my true love gave to me …” We all know the following verses “a partridge in a pear tree … two turtle doves … three French hens …” and so on. One gift you can give your loved ones is “peace of mind” by making sure your Estate Plan is in place and up-to-date by doing the following 12 steps:
Day 1 - Make sure you have the 3 minimum estate planning documents: Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will.
Day 2 - Have there been any significant changes in your family this year: marriage, divorce, remarriage, birth of children? If so, then you will need to re-evaluate your Estate Plan to accommodate these changes.
Day 3 - Check the named representatives in your Estate Plan to make sure they can still serve in that capacity: i.e. Executor, Guardian, Trustee, etc.
Day 4 - Do you wish for your spouse or children to receive your estate upon your death immediately without waiting the mandatory minimum 6 month period required in probate before any distribution to heirs can occur? If so, then you will want to create a Living Trust to accomplish same.
Day 5 - Do you want your estate and heirs to remain private upon your death? If so, then you will want to create a Living Trust to accomplish same.
Day 6 - Did you just get engaged? If so, you may need to think about a Prenuptial Agreement.
Day 7 - Did you get married this year and need to protect your assets for prior born children? If so, a Postnuptial Agreement can accomplish same.
Day 8 - Review your named beneficiaries on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, etc.
Day 9 - Have you prepared your Personal Records Organizer? If not, you may download our FREE Legacy Planning - Personal Records Organizer.
Day 10 - Consider life insurance to provide for your spouse or children in the event of your death.
Day 11 - Think about funeral arrangements. Do you plan on donating your organs? What type of funeral service do you want?
Day 12 - Make sure your Estate Plan documents are stored in a safe location: fire proof safe or lock box.
Day 1 - Make sure you have the 3 minimum estate planning documents: Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will.
Day 2 - Have there been any significant changes in your family this year: marriage, divorce, remarriage, birth of children? If so, then you will need to re-evaluate your Estate Plan to accommodate these changes.
Day 3 - Check the named representatives in your Estate Plan to make sure they can still serve in that capacity: i.e. Executor, Guardian, Trustee, etc.
Day 4 - Do you wish for your spouse or children to receive your estate upon your death immediately without waiting the mandatory minimum 6 month period required in probate before any distribution to heirs can occur? If so, then you will want to create a Living Trust to accomplish same.
Day 5 - Do you want your estate and heirs to remain private upon your death? If so, then you will want to create a Living Trust to accomplish same.
Day 6 - Did you just get engaged? If so, you may need to think about a Prenuptial Agreement.
Day 7 - Did you get married this year and need to protect your assets for prior born children? If so, a Postnuptial Agreement can accomplish same.
Day 8 - Review your named beneficiaries on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, etc.
Day 9 - Have you prepared your Personal Records Organizer? If not, you may download our FREE Legacy Planning - Personal Records Organizer.
Day 10 - Consider life insurance to provide for your spouse or children in the event of your death.
Day 11 - Think about funeral arrangements. Do you plan on donating your organs? What type of funeral service do you want?
Day 12 - Make sure your Estate Plan documents are stored in a safe location: fire proof safe or lock box.