Summer is a season of slowing down, soaking up sunshine—and for many families, reconnecting. But amidst vacations, graduations, and backyard barbecues, one important task often gets overlooked: your estate plan.
While it might not seem like beach-reading material, summer is actually the perfect time to revisit your plan and make sure it still reflects your life, your wishes, and your family’s needs.
Why Summer Is a Strategic Time to Review Your Plan
- Family gatherings = meaningful conversations. If your loved ones are together more often during the summer, it may be easier to check in on family goals or discuss wishes while things are calm—not in crisis.
- Mid-year = natural checkpoint. The halfway mark in the year is a great time to make sure your plan still reflects your current circumstances.
- Slower schedules = fewer distractions. With the school year on pause and many people taking time off, you may finally have the space to tackle those to-do’s you’ve been meaning to get to.
What to Look For in Your Summer Review
Even a quick review can uncover issues you didn’t realize existed. Here are a few things to check:
- Are your named decision-makers still the right fit?
Look at your trustee, executor, guardians, and agents. Are they still available, capable, and willing? - Has anything in your life changed?
New baby? Divorce? Marriage? Business changes? A move? These can all impact your plan—and your documents may need to be updated. - Have you reviewed your beneficiary designations?
These often override your will or trust, so make sure your retirement accounts, life insurance, and other policies align with your wishes. - Do you know where your documents are—and who else does?
Make sure your plan is accessible to the right people in case of an emergency. Bonus points for updating digital access instructions.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Reviewing your estate plan doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything. In many cases, a quick review with your attorney leads to small updates that prevent big headaches later.
Think of it like a summer tune-up: a little time now can help ensure things run smoothly when you need them most.
