You've Resolved to Get Your Will Done, Great! Now What? 4 Steps to Follow Now

You've Resolved to Get Your Will & Estate Plan Done-Now What? Here are the 4 Steps to Follow to Get the Job Done

New years are great for resolutions and one of the most popular ones is the decision to finally complete your Will and estate plan. But how do you get started and what steps do you take? Here are the steps to consider to make sure you get the job done right and on time.

1. Make an appointment with an estate planning attorney.

Use someone who specializes in estate planning. There are articles below about how to select the right attorney for you and your family. Do a thorough initial meeting. I call this the Estate Planning Assessment. Leave with a clear idea of what you should do next.

2. Follow up by proceeding with your plan.

It won't help to get the recommendations of the expert and then to not followup. So after you have the recommendations, proceed by scheduling whatever meetings are necessary to complete your plan. You should be complete in several days or just weeks depending on your particular situation.

3. After you sign your plan and all documents, complete your titling and beneficiary designations.

Completing your Will and estate plan is great, but those documents won't work as designed if you have titles and beneficiary designations that are not linked to and synchronized with your plan. This step is critical to your plan working properly.

4. Remember to review your plan periodically.

Even the best plans need some periodic attention. Laws change, family situations change and our assets change. By doing periodic reviews, you can keep everything current and up to date.

By following these four steps, you can protect yourself and your family with the proper estate plan and Will. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Bernie Greenberg