As the year winds down, many of us begin shifting our attention to holiday plans, family gatherings, and setting goals for the year ahead. December is a month of reflection — a chance to look back at what changed and prepare for what’s coming next.
It’s also one of the best times to revisit (or finally create) your estate plan.
Whether you completed your estate planning years ago or you’re just starting to think about it, a year-end review helps ensure that your plan still reflects your wishes and protects the people you care about.
✅ Why Review Your Estate Plan in December?
Life changes quickly — sometimes without us realizing how those changes impact our estate plan. December offers a natural checkpoint:
- Did you welcome a new family member (birth, adoption, marriage)?
- Did someone you named in your documents move away, change circumstances, or pass away?
- Did you buy or sell a home, receive an inheritance, or experience a significant change in finances?
- Have your health care wishes changed?
Your estate plan needs to evolve along with your life. An annual review ensures everything stays aligned.
📋 Your Year-End Estate Planning Checklist
Use this quick checklist to evaluate whether your plan is current:
- Review Your Will and Trust(s).
Ensure beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and distributions still make sense. - Verify Beneficiary Designations.
Retirement accounts and life insurance policies pass by beneficiary designation — not your Will. Confirm that everything matches your estate plan. - Check Your Financial Power of Attorney.
Is the person you’ve listed still the right choice to handle financial decisions if you’re unable? - Confirm Your Health Care Directives and HIPAA Authorizations.
These govern medical decisions and access to your health information — crucial documents if an emergency arises. - Discuss Your Plan with the People Involved.
Executors, trustees, and agents should know their role before something happens. - Address Digital Assets.
From online banking to social media, make sure someone can access your accounts if necessary. - Schedule a Meeting with Your Attorney.
A quick review can reveal gaps or opportunities to better accomplish your goals.
🌟 The Gift of Peace of Mind
Updating your plan may not be as exciting as wrapping presents, but the peace of mind it brings is invaluable — for you and your loved ones.
When your estate plan is complete and up to date, you are giving your family something priceless during the holidays:
Clarity. Comfort. Direction.
Instead of worrying, your loved ones will have a clear roadmap, guided by your intentions.
📞 We’re Here to Help
If you’d like assistance reviewing your plan — or if you don’t yet have an estate plan — our team is here to guide you through the process with care and clarity.
Contact our office at (603) 643-7577 or email office@estateandelderlawgroup.com to schedule your year-end or January planning review.
Planning for the future isn’t just a task — it’s an act of caring.
