One of the most common estate planning questions I get is when and why you would need to update your estate plan. For 2012, here is your custom guide to ensuring that your estate plan is current:
- Has the value of your estate increased substantially since your last update? Do you have more than $5 million if you’re single, or $10 million if you’re married? Is this a change from before? If so, then you may want to consider a review of your estate plan.
- Did you complete your powers of attorney before 2003? In California the forms changed at that time, so now would be a good time to take another look.
- Are your beneficiaries on your retirement and life insurance accounts updated?
- Does your estate plan reflect your current family and desires for distribution to them? Or has there been a birth, death, marriage or divorce since your last estate check up? If so, you may need a review.
- Are you protected for a time (the time) when you are unable to think or care for yourself? Do you have your powers of attorney? Long-term care? Advances in medical care mean we will live longer, but at the same time we will more likely experience a diminishing of capacity before we pass on. Without these basic planning tools, we leave our family with these burdens. Are you approaching 50? If you don’t have long-term care yet, now is the time to get it. You can’t wait until you need it or you won’t qualify.
- Have you chosen a guardian for your minor children? If you don’t, then your children could become the subject of a custody battle if something happens to you, or they could be place in foster care while the decision is being made. Don’t take this risk!
If it has been a while since you created your estate plan, or you don’t have one at all, now is the time to put the tools in place to protect your family and your assets. Schedule a FREE appointment online, or call us at 925.307.6543.
Christina McPherson, Attorney: McPherson Law Group - Estate Planning, Living Trusts 
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