The holiday season is upon us! Many of us gather with friends and family during this time of year. Whether you are exchanging gifts, continuing family traditions or just getting together over a good meal, the holidays give us a time to reflect on what is truly important to us.
Preparing a new estate plan or updating an existing estate plan is a very thoughtful and meaningful gift to give your family this holiday season. A well-planned estate gives peace of mind by outlining your wishes, and giving your loved ones a roadmap to follow in the event of your death or incapacity. Families have enough to deal with when someone passes away - why not save them the work and stress by having your affairs in order in advance?
Sure, you could spend a great deal of time and money buying the perfect present for each of your kids and grandkids, but how long do those gifts really last? The gift of estate planning gives you a chance to be remembered fondly when you're no longer with us. Your estate plan can outline when/how your assets are distributed to future generations so they're protected for years to come. And, an estate plan can outline who is responsible for administering your assets upon your death or incapacity so loved ones know who to turn to in the event something should happen.
The holiday season also gives an opportunity to discuss the topic of estate planning with multiple generations of your family. Many times, the holiday season is the chance to have the entire family gathered together. Perhaps having this group together under one roof is a perfect time to outline your wishes and have conversations with your family about your estate plan.
Planning your estate around the holidays is also beneficial for those charitable organizations you want to support upon your death. This time of year our mailboxes are filled with requests for donations from several organizations. In addition to annual giving, planned giving through a Will, Trust or beneficiary designation can also be a meaningful way to let the organizations you support know that you're thinking of them.
An outdated or nonexistent estate plan will result in more work and stress falling on your loved ones, not to mention money being spent after the fact to get things in order (which often costs a great deal more than planning ahead). Taking the time to plan now can provide the peace of mind for you and your family, allowing you to focus on enjoying the time spent together around the holidays.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your estate planning needs. Have a safe and happy holiday season!