Year-End Estate Planning Checklist: 7 Things to Do Before 2026
2025 is almost over. The holidays are here. The year is wrapping up. And if you haven't done your estate planning yet, now is literally the perfect time.
Here's a year-end estate planning checklist to make sure you're going into 2025 with peace of mind.
Why Year-End is the Perfect Time for Estate Planning
Because you're already thinking about the past year. You're reviewing finances. You're thinking about next year. You're evaluating what matters.
That's the perfect mindset for estate planning.
Also, January gets busy. Tax season starts. Life gets chaotic. Do this now while you have time.
Year-End Estate Planning Checklist
Have you updated your will?
Is it current with your life situation?
Are the right people listed?
Have your priorities changed since the last time you updated it? If no to any of these: schedule time to do this before the year ends.
Do you have powers of attorney?
Health care power of attorney (who makes medical decisions)?
Financial power of attorney (who handles your money if you can't)? If no: you need these.
Have you named guardians for your kids?
If something happens to you and your spouse, who raises your kids?
Have you asked them if they'll do it?
Do they know where your important documents are? If no: this is critical. Do this.
Have you reviewed your beneficiary designations?
Life insurance: who's listed?
Retirement accounts: who's listed?
Bank accounts with POD (Payable on Death): who's listed? If these are outdated or your ex-spouse is listed: fix it immediately.
Do you have a health care directive / living will?
If you're in a permanent vegetative state, what do you want to happen?
Do you want life support?
Are you an organ donor? If you haven't written this down: do it now.
Have you documented your digital assets?
Where are your passwords?
What accounts do you have?
How should your digital life be handled? If your family has no idea: write it down.
Have you organized your important documents?
Does someone know where your will is?
Does someone know where your financial documents are?
Does someone know where your insurance documents are? If no: organize it now.
Have you had a conversation with your family?
Does your spouse know your wishes?
Do your kids know about guardianship plans?
Does your executor know they're the executor? If no: have these conversations now.
What Happens If You Don't Do This
Your family has to figure it out. Your executor doesn't know they're your executor. Your kids don't know who's supposed to raise them. Your ex-spouse might have access to your accounts. Your house goes into probate. It's chaos.
Do this so your family doesn't have to deal with chaos.
The Year-End Timeline
This week: Schedule a consultation
Next week: Have initial meetings
Before Christmas: Get documents signed
After Christmas: Celebrate knowing you're protected
January 1st: Start 2026 with peace of mind
You have time. You just have to do it.
Why This Matters
You've made it through 2025. You know what matters. You know who matters. You know what you want. Now document it. Protect it. Make sure your family is taken care of.
That's not morbid. That's love.
Ready to Close Out 2025 Right?
Schedule a consultation. Let's get your estate plan done before the year ends. Start 2026 knowing your family is protected.
