As you prepare for retirement, you should evaluate your finances and examine your budget. While going over your assets, you can use the opportunity to revisit your estate plan so that it reflects any recent changes.
With a thorough, up-to-date estate plan, you can manage the distribution of your property.
Creating a trust
If you only have a will, consider setting up a trust to pass along your assets to your loved ones more efficiently. A trust sets clear terms for the distribution of your money and property. Using a trust can also help protect your assets from probate fees.
Appointing a power of attorney
Retirement is a good time to appoint someone to have power of attorney in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself. You can even designate one party to handle financial decisions and a different party to manage medical issues.
Reviewing your beneficiaries
Maintaining your estate plan should include updating your beneficiaries. For example, if you have grandchildren now, you might want to add them to your will or create a trust fund for them. Also, you can rebalance the division of your assets. This is especially important if you have acquired more property or money over the years. The value of your assets may have changed over the years, too.
In addition, you should evaluate the parties you named as executors and trustees in your estate plan. Ensure the people serving these roles continue to be reliable and honest actors.
When your life changes in a major way, you should examine your estate plan and make appropriate adjustments. You can include an update to your estate plan in your retirement preparations.