Summer has this funny way of making people reflective. Maybe it’s the longer days or the fact that we’re officially halfway through another year, but this time of year often gets people thinking about where they stand with their goals. Health goals, career milestones, financial targets—most people have some sense of how they’re tracking.
But there’s one area that consistently gets pushed to the back burner, even though it’s arguably one of the most important: estate planning. And mid-year? It’s actually the perfect time to give those documents a closer look.
Estate planning attorneys often recommend summer reviews because life has a way of changing faster than most people realize. Plus, tackling this now means avoiding the year-end rush when everyone’s distracted by holidays and trying to wrap up other priorities.
When Life Happens, Plans Need to Change
Estate planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. Life keeps moving, relationships evolve, and what made sense five years ago might not reflect reality today. Legal professionals typically suggest revisiting estate plans after major life events, but they also recommend regular check-ins even when things seem stable.
Some of the bigger life changes that should prompt a review of your estate plan include:
- A new marriage or divorce (yours or a family member’s)
- The birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
- Buying or selling significant assets, such as property or a business
- Major changes in health or new caregiving responsibilities
- Updates to state or federal tax laws that may impact inheritance or gifting
But even without these major shifts, estate planning documents can become outdated in subtle ways. Beneficiary information might be stale, chosen executors might no longer be the best choice, or healthcare preferences might have evolved.
The Key Documents That Need Attention
For people who already have basic estate planning documents in place, the mid-year review process involves looking at several key areas.
Beneficiary designations are often the first thing estate planning attorneys check. The people or organizations named years ago might not be the same ones someone would choose today. Sometimes it’s as simple as updating addresses, but other times there are more significant changes to consider.
Executor and trustee selections deserve careful consideration too. The person who seemed like the obvious choice a decade ago might now live across the country, have health issues of their own, or simply be at a different stage of life where taking on these responsibilities wouldn’t make sense.
Asset coverage is another critical area. Many people create estate plans and then forget to update them as they acquire new property, open new accounts, or make other financial changes. For trust-based plans especially, new assets often need to be formally transferred into the trust to ensure they’re properly covered.
Parents of minor children should regularly reconsider guardian selections. The couple who seemed perfect when the kids were toddlers might not be the best fit now that those children are teenagers with their own preferences and needs.
Beyond the Basics: Making Sure Everything Works
Having the right documents is only part of the equation. Estate planning attorneys often find that families have perfectly good plans that become useless because nobody can find them when needed, or key people don’t know they exist.
Document storage and accessibility deserve as much attention as the content itself. Whether someone keeps originals in a safe deposit box, stores copies with their attorney, or uses digital storage solutions, the important thing is that trusted family members know where to find everything and how to access it when necessary.
Most comprehensive estate plans should also include powers of attorney for financial decisions, healthcare directives that spell out medical preferences, and HIPAA authorizations that allow doctors to communicate with chosen representatives. These documents often prove just as important as wills and trusts, but they’re frequently overlooked during reviews.
Treating Estate Planning Like Any Other Important Goal
One of the biggest obstacles estate planning attorneys encounter is the tendency for people to treat these documents as someday tasks rather than current priorities. There’s something about estate planning that makes even organized, goal-oriented people procrastinate.
But here’s the reality check that legal professionals often share with clients: if something unexpected happened tomorrow, would family members know what to do? Would assets be protected according to the person’s wishes? Would there be unnecessary complications, delays, or family conflicts that proper planning could have prevented?
These aren’t comfortable questions, but they’re the ones that matter. And mid-year provides a natural opportunity to address them while there’s still time to make thoughtful adjustments before the year gets away from everyone.
Getting Professional Guidance
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially for people trying to figure out whether their existing documents still make sense or those who’ve been putting off creating their first will or trust. The good news is that experienced estate planning attorneys can make the process much more manageable than most people expect.
A professional review can identify gaps, suggest improvements, and help ensure that all the legal requirements are properly met. More importantly, it can provide peace of mind that comes from knowing everything is in order and up to date.
At Gravis Law, the estate planning team understands that these documents need to work for real families in real situations. Whether someone needs to create their first comprehensive plan or wants to review what they already have in place, the focus is on making sure everything reflects current circumstances and goals.
The second half of the year always seems to fly by faster than expected. Taking care of estate planning now means entering that busy season with one less important item on the to-do list—and the confidence that comes from knowing family and assets are properly protected.
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