Don’t Let the State Decide: Take Control of Your Estate Plan
If you don’t have an estate plan, the state may have one for you — and it might not reflect what you actually want. The good news? You can start getting clarity today.
Why waiting can cost you
Estate planning can feel complicated, emotional, or easy to push off. But delaying can lead to:
- Out-of-date wills or beneficiary designations
- Assets going to people you didn’t intend
- Unnecessary conflict among family members
- State intestacy laws taking over
A few small steps now can prevent big headaches later.
Start simple — not perfect
You don’t need a flawless plan. You just need a starting point and a clear picture of your wishes. Some key things to consider before meeting with an advisor or attorney:
- Organize important relationships and decision-makers
- Clarify your intentions
- Identify special assets or situations
- Highlight charitable interests
- Capture important details like digital assets
- Spot areas where beneficiaries or titling may need updates
Add meaning behind the documents
Many people choose to include a letter of wishes along with their formal legal documents. This non-legal note explains the “why” behind your decisions — the values you want to pass down and the guidance you want future generations to hear directly from you. This can be especially meaningful for children, grandchildren, or blended families.
Questions to help you think
As you begin planning, here are a few prompts to reflect on:
- If something happened tomorrow, who would make decisions on your behalf?
- How do you want your values to show up in the legacy you leave?
- What would your children or grandchildren say matters most to you?
Why year-end is a great time to start
Year-end naturally prompts reflection — on family, finances, and giving. It’s an ideal moment to get organized, update documents, or begin conversations you’ve been meaning to have.
How we can help
"What happens if something happens to me" is a common question we field. If you want help considering the possibilities and establishing a plan to provide for your family and/or community, give our office a call. Ultimately, you'll need an attorney to draft your legal documents, but we have tools to help guide you towards a clear path for your wishes.
Ready to take the first step?
Bring your estate plan from “someday” to “today" — give us a call - 419.496.0770.
Note: This Information was provided to Crosby Advisory Group, LLC by SEI.
Disclaimer: Crosby Advisory Group, LLC is a registered investment advisor. This podcast is for general knowledge and is not intended to be individual investment advice. Investing involves risk including potential for loss. Understand all risk and fees before investing. NMD Insurance is affiliated with Crosby Advisory Group, LLC.
