Late summer has its own rhythm. Vacations are wrapping up, the days are long but slowly shortening, and thoughts are starting to turn toward fall routines. It’s a natural time to pause, take stock, and revisit the to-do list items that may have been quietly set aside as summer activities filled the calendar.
If you’re among the estimated 55% of U.S. adults without an estate plan, creating one may be one of the items on that list—and now is a great time to move it to the top. Why?
Too often, people postpone estate planning because it doesn’t feel pressing. It can be emotionally complex, administratively tedious, and easy to push off for another day. Life, however, is unpredictable, and estate planning gives you the opportunity to make critical decisions while you still have the capacity to do so.
[do we have a graphic we could place here?]At its core, this type of planning is an act of stewardship and care. It’s about making thoughtful decisions in advance to protect the people you love and the values you hold dear. When you make time for what is important but not urgent, you:
- Gain control over the narrative of your life and legacy
- Reduce the burden on your loved ones
- Preserve harmony
- and ensure that your intentions are known and honored
You don’t need to tackle it all at once
Starting today, even with small steps, can give you the momentum you need to begin planning with intention.
Whether you are starting from scratch or reviewing an existing estate plan, the first steps are simply about getting organized. You can begin by:
1) Taking inventory of your assets and liabilities
Start with a simple personal net worth statement.
2) Clarifying your goals
Consider the legacy that you would like to leave behind. Generational wealth, charitable giving, or ensuring a smooth business succession may be top of mind.
3) Identifying trusted decision-makers
Think about who you would trust to serve as executor, trustee, power of attorney, and guardian of children. Consider their availability, health, proximity, and ability to handle complex family dynamics.
4) Understanding your “levers”
Your primary tools include beneficiary designations, transfer-on-death (TOD) arrangements, and your estate documents (wills or trusts). Remember: beneficiary and TOD instructions override wills and trusts in the event of a conflict.
Once your objectives are clear and decision-makers are selected, work with an attorney to draft or update your estate documents. Then, review and update asset titles and beneficiary designations to ensure alignment.
Once they are finalized, it’s important to ensure that your appointed key decision-makers know where to locate your estate documents and how to contact the professionals you rely on, including your CPA, financial advisor, and estate planning attorney. At HFG, we encourage our clients to introduce us to these individuals in advance, so that when the time comes, we can serve as a resource and provide steady guidance.
Clarity starts with action
Estate planning isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for it by choosing to engage in meaningful work before it becomes critical. Like maintaining your health or investing in your relationships, it is a long-view endeavor—quietly powerful, deeply human, and valuable to prioritize.
So, while late summer invites you to take pause and notice the things that have been patiently waiting on your to-do list, it’s the perfect moment to give estate planning the thoughtful attention it deserves. By acting now, you can give yourself and your loved ones a sense of peace that will endure long after the season changes.
Cody Beaumont, CPA, CFP®
Financial Advisor
