There's a lot going on, and people are inundated with stressors. I'm the kind of person who finds it most productive to focus on the things I have within my control. Most of us can't solve the world's problems, but we can solve some of our own.
One of the more common questions I get: when should I think about updating my estate plan?
It’s an important question, and the answer is simultaneously simple and complex.
Simple answer: a review of one’s estate plan should accompany all major life events.
So…what qualifies as a “major life event”?
Probate is difficult enough under the best of circumstances. It’s a lot of confusing paperwork, back and forth with the Surrogate’s Court, and months of delay before an executor is finally empowered to act on behalf of an estate. When an estate includes real estate, the problem is amplified.
Most of the time when people set their beneficiaries on things like 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and brokerage accounts they name their spouse as “primary” (assuming they have one), and their kids as “contingent.” We’ve been told this eases the burden on our family, so they can avoid probate when we pass - a noble goal! Unfortunately, if your children are under eighteen, this well-intentioned plan can lead to unintended complexities – even if you have a will.
A lot of the issues in running a business are solved by simply doing a great job for your clients, being honest about what you know and what you don’t, and being a clear communicator. Many others, like those around efficiency and sustainable growth, are a little more complicated yet vitally important to the survival and success of a business.
Creating a will or trust is a vital part of anyone’s estate plan, but it’s not where the planning ends. Ensuring that the beneficiaries you’ve listed on 401Ks and other retirement accounts, insurance policies, annuities, etc., are coordinated with those estate planning documents is essential to the success of that plan.
