Are you asking yourself, “Do I need an estate planning attorney?” The answer to that question is almost always yes. Whether your estate is large or relatively small, working with an attorney helps ensure your plan is structured correctly and functions as intended.
A revocable living trust is a legal tool that allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime while creating a clear plan for their disposition after your death. You place assets into the trust, continue to control them, and can update or revoke the trust as your life evolves. This flexibility allows your plan to grow with you, rather than staying fixed in time.
When planning your estate, it is important to understand the difference between a successor trustee and an executor. An executor carries out the instructions in a will and settles the estate through probate under court supervision. A successor trustee, on the other hand, manages and distributes the assets held in the trust, often without needing to go through probate.
Twelve of our attorneys shared the most common estate planning mistakes that they see when reviewing peoples estate plans that they’ve created themselves.
Loss often comes without warning. Too frequently, families are left making urgent decisions with no guidance and no time to breathe. Many people put off planning because it feels overwhelming or uncomfortable to imagine. Unfortunately, when there is no estate plan in place, the legal system steps in and makes decisions for you. This process looks very similar to dying without a will and often leaves families facing court involvement, delays, and uncertainty.
Moving to another state is often an exciting milestone, whether it comes with a new job, a fresh start, or a lifestyle change. In the midst of packing and planning, it’s easy to overlook how a move can affect important legal documents, including your estate plan.
Many people assume that only older or wealthier folks need to worry about estate planning, or that having a will is all you need to avoid the probate process. However, these are all misconceptions that can cause headaches for you and your family in the future.
Many people approach estate planning with the mindset of “I’ll get to it eventually.” Life feels busy, the topic feels uncomfortable, and planning can seem easy to postpone. The problem is that estate planning works best when it’s done calmly, thoughtfully, and before anything goes wrong. Waiting until a crisis leaves families making rushed decisions under stress, often with fewer options and less control than they expected.
Many people put off estate planning because it does not feel urgent until circumstances make it impossible to ignore. When families start estate planning proactively—before circumstances require it—it offers far more than just legal paperwork. It provides reassurance and structure during moments when clarity matters most.
An estate plan should serve your needs and wishes as they exist today, not your circumstances years ago. As life changes through marriage, divorce, a growing family, or new financial responsibilities, parts of an existing plan can quietly become outdated. The good news is that updating an estate plan is usually straightforward, especially when changes are addressed promptly to avoid confusion or uncertainty.
