It's Time for Spring Cleaning

It’s officially spring, and time for spring cleaning! What a great time to make sure that your legal house is in order and to give yourself peace of mind. Open the windows, take out the dustpan and think about what has changed in your life:

• Do you now have children, but no Will? 
  
• Do you have a Will, but you created it when you had babies, and now your babies are grown? 
  
• Does the Will still reflect your wishes?
  
• Does the Will incorporate recent changes in the law?
  
• Is the Will enough? Should you consider a trust?
  
• Have your family circumstances changed?
  
• Have your financial assets changed?
  
• Has your health changed?
  
• Do you need to protect your assets from significant medical or nursing home costs?
  
• Do you need to be concerned about estate taxes?

Also think about whether your estate plan is complete. Do you have a Will, Living Will, Health Care Proxy and updated Durable Powers of Attorney with Gift Riders? I consider all of these documents to be necessary in providing a safety net for your family and, most importantly, your peace of mind.

So make sure to include your estate plan as part of your spring cleaning this year.