Joining the military often sets individuals on a path that is distinctly different from pursuing higher education or entering the civilian workforce. Every year around Veterans Day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country. However, we do not always pause to consider the unique experiences and challenges Veterans face when their military service ends, especially the transition from a highly structured and supported military environment to civilian life, where personal and financial planning often rests entirely on their own shoulders.

As a Veteran, you have dedicated your life to serving others; service and sacrifice come naturally to you. Creating an estate plan may not immediately come to mind as another way to serve and protect those you love. For Veterans, however, a standard estate plan is often insufficient. Military service brings unique benefits, responsibilities, and considerations that require thoughtful coordination to ensure that you and your loved ones are fully protected.

A "Mission Plan" for Protecting Family, Benefits, and Legacy

As a Veteran, you are no stranger to paperwork. From the extensive documentation required for recruitment and enlistment to the detailed records of assignments, pay, training, medical history, and awards maintained throughout your career, you have likely been responsible for keeping records that are vital for verifying your service history and accessing service-related benefits.

Estate planning documents serve a different but similarly important purpose. They are designed to protect your loved ones and ensure that your personal wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated (unable to manage your affairs) or after your passing.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's assertion that "plans are useless, but planning is indispensable" stresses the value of developing multiple contingency plans for probable scenarios and unexpected situations. The same principle applies to your estate plan: While your specific documents may evolve over time, the process of thoughtfully creating a plan helps ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for whatever life may bring. Your estate plan allows you to specify who should inherit your service-related benefits and other assets (accounts and property), name guardians for your children, and appoint trusted individuals to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and wind down your estate after your passing. The main documents of a comprehensive estate plan include the following:

• Last will and testament. A will provides clear instructions for the distribution of your accounts and property that do not have a joint