Have you started estate planning yet? If you’ve already got a plan in place, you’re well on your way to being in good shape, but effective planning takes more than just getting things on paper. Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid during the process:

1. Forgetting to keep your will or trust up-to-date. Situations in your life change. The person you named as your child’s guardian may move overseas, or you may get divorced. When changes like this occur, it’s important to review your estate plan and make sure it’s updated with new, correct information.
2. Not using tax-planning strategies. It’s important to know how you can minimize or avoid paying estate taxes, so sit down with an accountant or financial planner to go over estate tax planning strategies and figure out the best ways for you move forward.
3. Remaining oblivious to legislation. As Congress changes tax law, it affects the total cost of estate taxes. As legislation changes, it’s important to know how it will affect your beneficiaries.
4. Not telling others where it is. It may sound simple, but would your children know where to look for your estate plan? Whether it’s in a safety deposit box or with your attorney, it’s important for your loved ones to know where to look.
5. Refusing to ask for help. Although you might be able to do some estate planning on your own, it’s always best to get help from an attorney that knows how to plan and advise you in your unique situation. An experienced attorney can make sure you dot the I’s and cross the T’s, and can help you navigate any confusing laws or documents.

Whether you need help creating an estate plan from scratch, or updating one you already have in place, we’re here to help! Contact us if you have any questions about the process.

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