When it comes to making plans, there are no age limits. It’s never to early or too late to consider what could be, and you are always perfectly entitled to change your mind or come to new or updated conclusions for yourself.

In considering long-term planning in particular, this could mean considering how to manage your assets beginning now, considering what you envision for your golden years, determining what you would like to happen to your assets after you pass, and anything in between. This often falls under the area of law known as ‘Estate Planning’.

Many folks don’t want to think about aging or death, but it can be crucial to address how to approach these aspects of life. Doing so allows you to take control in ensuring your wishes are honored when you aren’t able to speak for yourself, and can provide guidance and peace of mind for your loved ones if or when they are ever put into use.

Estate Planning is not something that is ‘one-size-fits-all’. There are a variety of tools that you may wish to utilize to establish what your desires are for your own future and for those of your loved ones. You may or may not be interested in having some, all, or none of the options available to you, such as the following:

• Last Will and Testament

• Revocable Living Trust

• Irrevocable Trust

• General Power of Attorney

• Healthcare Power of Attorney

• Living Will (aka “Advance Directive”)

Whether you are looking to establish documents for yourself for the first time or looking to make updates to your plan, we are here to listen and provide assistance so that you can plan for your future, your family, and your goals.

When might you want to update your estate plan? There are any number of reasons someone might have. Some common reasons that come to mind include:

• A change in relationship - whether there is a new relationship, a change in relationship status, or the conclusion of a relationship

• The birth or adoption of a child

• A friend or family member meeting a milestone, such as turning 18 or graduating from college (Congratulations!)

• A change in ownership of property or other assets, such as the acquisition, transfer, sale, retitling, or gifting of property

• The death of a loved one

• Just changing your mind!

We understand that having these conversations can be difficult. If you have concerns about how to approach establishing or updating an estate plan, we would be glad to speak with you about your options.