Although estate planning is not an easy thing to do, both because it can bring up uncomfortable feelings and because it can be complex, it’s an important thing that deserves your attention. Caring.com found that only 32% of Americans had an estate plan as of 2024. So if you’re doing your own estate planning, it means you may already be ahead of the game compared to some of your peers.
However, there are certain tasks that are all too easy to forget when you do your estate planning. Overlooking them could cause problems down the line — perhaps more so for your loved ones than for you. Here are five overlooked tasks to make sure to keep on your radar:
1. Making sure your will is current.
Plenty of people take the time to draw up a will. But one thing people forget all too often is to update their will to account for life changes or newly acquired assets.
For example, you were married when you created your will, but then get divorced. After the divorce, your estate plan is an important thing to update. Similarly, if you don’t have grandchildren when you signed your will, but later, several grandchildren are born. If you want to provide for those grandchildren, you need to update your will to ensure that they receive an inheritance.
Finally, don’t forget that you might acquire different assets over time that should be accounted for. If you buy a vacation home or valuable piece of art after writing your will, you’ll need to update it if you want to ensure the right loved ones inherit it.
2. Adding an explanation of omissions.
Sometimes you may want to exclude a person who expects to be included in your will. It is your right to exclude someone from your estate plan. However, if you don’t include an explanation of why you’re omitting that person, it could cause problems for your beneficiaries down the line. For instance, the excluded person could contest your will. This could also cause conflict among your heirs once you’re no longer around and take your estate longer to settle. Therefore, you should consider explaining why someone is excluded from your estate plan.
3. Having a plan for your pets.
If you have children who are minors, it’s important that your will spell out who will be in charge of their care in the event you’re no longer around. But you may forget to include instructions on who will care for your pets. To avoid problems, make sure to designate a caregiver for any pets you have. You could also set aside funds to create trust for your pets to cover their care if you pass away before them.
4. Having a specific dementia directive.
An advance directive lets you spell out your wishes for medical care in the event you cannot make those decisions on your own. But it’s a good idea to take that idea a step further with a directive that specifically addresses cognitive decline. The problem with dementia is that it can be a slow progression. It is important to have a contingency plan in place for various stages of it. The more specific your instructions are, the more likely you are to end up getting the type of care you want.
5. Talking to your loved ones about your will.
Losing a loved one is extremely difficult. To reduce questions about your estate plan, talk to your family about your decisions. This can reduce animosity between your loved ones and answer questions they might have as to why you’re making certain decisions.
For example, if you have two children and you’re not splitting your estate equally between them, that’s the sort of thing you should make a point to discuss while you’re still alive. Otherwise, it could result in bad feelings between your loved ones after you’re gone.
At The Mendel Law Firm, L.P. in Houston, an estate planning attorney can help you put together a comprehensive plan so you don’t forget any key aspect of getting your affairs in order. Whether it’s creating or updating a will, putting a trust in place, or tackling another important task related to estate planning, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call our office today at 281-759-3213 or contact us online to discuss all of your estate planning needs.
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