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While many proactive individuals understand the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan, they often assume that their plan only covers what happens after they pass away. However, a complete estate plan also aims to positively influence your life by planning for and securing necessary protections while you're still around to enjoy the benefits. 

Your estate plan is one of the most important sets of legal tools you will ever create. An estate plan is designed to protect you, your loved ones, and your money and property. However, an estate plan is not a “set it and forget it” set of legal tools. While estate plans are designed to have some flexibility, they are created at a specific moment in time and need updating as your life changes. If your plan has not kept up with your life, it could fail when you need it most or perform differently than intended.

You have decided to meet with an estate planning attorney to get your affairs in order and ensure that your loved ones are protected. Now that you have scheduled the appointment, it is time to get yourself organized and prepare for the first meeting.

When creating an estate plan, we look at what is going on in your life at that time. But because life is full of changes, it is important to make sure your plan can change to accommodate whatever life throws your way.

As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can force you to reevaluate the core assumptions you used to plan your future and set up your legacy.

You can create your estate plan at any time, but many people choose to begin the process sooner rather than later. Why? Because you never know when life-changing medical or financial emergencies can strike that will require someone else to manage your affairs during your lifetime.