Fall has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you’re soaking up the summer sun, and the next you’re digging out sweaters, making holiday plans, and wondering where the year went.

Before the hustle of the holidays takes over, now is the perfect time to check in on your family, your plans, and your legacy. A little preparation this fall can give you peace of mind through the end of the year — and beyond.

Here’s your fall legacy game plan to get your affairs in order before the holidays hit.

Review Your Estate Plan

If you already have an estate plan, fall is a great time to dust it off and make sure it still fits your goals. If you don’t have one yet, this is the time to start.

Look for changes that may affect your plan:

• Have you gotten married, divorced, or had a child or grandchild?
• Have you bought or sold property?
• Has anyone named in your will or trust passed away or become unable to serve?
• Have your wishes about your care, guardianship, or distribution of assets changed?

Even if nothing major has happened, it’s wise to review your documents at least every few years to ensure they still reflect your intentions and comply with current Tennessee laws.

Check Your Beneficiary Designations

Many assets — like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts — pass directly to the beneficiaries you’ve named on those accounts, regardless of what your will says.

Take a few minutes to confirm your beneficiaries are current and aligned with your overall plan. This is especially important if you’ve experienced a life change, like a marriage, divorce, or new child or grandchild.

Have the Tough Conversations

The holidays bring family together — which can sometimes make it even harder to talk about serious topics. But having conversations about your wishes now, before emotions and schedules are running high, can help prevent misunderstandings later.

Consider sharing:

• Who you’ve named as your executor or trustee
• Who will make decisions for you if you’re incapacitated
• Your wishes for medical care and funeral arrangements

These conversations don’t need to be formal or somber — just honest and clear.

Organize Your Documents

You don’t want your family scrambling to find your important papers if something happens to you.

Make sure your key documents are:

• Up to date
• Easy to find
• Stored in a safe place (and that someone you trust knows where they are)

This includes your will, trust, powers of attorney, advance directives, insurance policies, and account information.

Schedule a Meeting With Your Estate Planning Attorney

If it’s been a while since you’ve met with your attorney — or if you’ve never put a plan in place — now is the perfect time to schedule a meeting.

An experienced attorney can:

• Review your current plan and recommend updates
• Help you create a plan that fits your goals and protects your loved ones
• Answer your questions about Tennessee’s laws and how they apply to you

Give Yourself the Gift of Peace of Mind

• The end of the year can be busy and stressful, but knowing you’ve taken care of your family and your legacy is one less thing to worry about.
• If you’re ready to update your estate plan or create one for the first time, we’re here to help you put your plan in place — so you can focus on what really matters this holiday season.
• Contact us today to schedule your fall planning session.