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The holiday season is a time for gathering, reflecting, and planning for the year ahead. It’s also one of the best times to review or update your estate plan. Between family conversations, end-of-year financial decisions, and natural reflection on life changes, the holidays offer the perfect moment to ensure your wills, trusts, and key documents are organized and aligned with your current goals.

To help you enter the new year with confidence, here is a comprehensive Holiday Estate- Planning Checklist, designed to simplify the process and highlight the most important areas to review.

1. Review Your Will for Accuracy and Updates

Your will is the foundation of your estate plan. Review it to confirm it still reflects your wishes, especially if you experienced major life changes this year—such as a new child, marriage, divorce, relocation, or the passing of a loved one. An outdated will can create unnecessary complications during an already difficult time.

2. Confirm Your Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and financial accounts override what’s written in your will. Review each one to ensure accuracy and consistency with your overall estate plan. This is one of the most common and most overlooked areas where problems arise.

3. Evaluate Your Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney

Your chosen decision-makers should still be the right people to act on your behalf. Confirm that:

• You trust them with your finances or healthcare decisions
• They are still willing and able to serve
• Their contact information is up to date

These documents are crucial if you become unable to manage your own affairs.

4. Review Your Trusts and Confirm They Are Properly Funded

If you have a trust, ensure it is structured correctly and fully funded so it functions as intended. A trust that hasn’t been funded may not offer the protections or benefits you expect. Funding the trust is what activates its ability to manage and distribute assets according to your wishes.

5. Update Guardianship Choices for Minor Children

For parents, guardianship is one of the most important estate-planning decisions. Make sure the people you’ve named are still appropriate, capable, and willing to take on the responsibility should the unexpected occur.

6. Take Inventory of New Assets

If you purchased property, acquired investments, opened new accounts, or started a business this year, these assets may need to be added to your estate planning documents. Keeping an up-to-date inventory helps ensure nothing is overlooked.

7. Organize Important Documents and Digital Information

A well-organized estate plan saves your family stress and confusion. Make sure your key
documents are stored securely and that your loved ones know where to find:

• Estate planning documents
• Financial account information
• Insurance policies
• Digital assets and passwords

Consider maintaining a secure, consolidated list for easy access when needed.

8. Consider Charitable Giving or Philanthropic Goals

The holidays often bring out our desire to give. If charitable giving is part of your legacy, review or add instructions related to donations, charitable trusts, or planned gifts. This may also offer potential year-end tax benefits.

9. Communicate Your Plans with Loved Ones

While not legally required, discussing your wishes with family can prevent confusion, misunderstandings, or conflict later. Holiday gatherings often provide a natural opportunity for these conversations.

10. Schedule a Review with Your Estate Planning Attorney

Even a well-prepared plan benefits from periodic review. Meeting with an estate planning attorney at year-end or the start of the new year ensures your documents are current, legally sound, and customized to your evolving needs.

Start the New Year with Peace of Mind

A thoughtfully updated estate plan is a meaningful gift to yourself and the people you love. By taking time during the holiday season to review your wills, trusts, and key documents, you set the stage for a more confident and organized year ahead.

If you’d like professional guidance in updating your holiday estate plan, Marcellino & Tyson, PLLC is here to help!