More Than a Will

When people think "estate plan," they usually think "will." A will matters — it says who gets what, and who you'd want to raise your children if you couldn't. But a will alone often leaves gaps.

A more complete plan typically includes a financial power of attorney (so someone can step in if you're incapacitated, not just after you've died), a health care directive, and a clear-eyed look at how your assets are actually titled — because beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies pass outside of a will entirely, and outdated ones are one of the most common estate-planning mistakes.

For some families, a trust makes sense too — to avoid probate, to control how and when assets are distributed, or to plan for a beneficiary who is a minor, has special needs, or simply isn't ready to manage a lump sum.

None of this needs to be complicated, and it doesn't require guessing what "normal" looks like for a family like yours. The right plan reflects your actual life — your family, your assets, and what you're trying to accomplish — not a generic checklist.

The best time to put your wishes in writing is while life feels ordinary, not while it's in crisis. If it's been a few years since you've looked at your documents — or you've never had any — that's a good enough reason to start the conversation.