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The process involves several key steps:

📌 Find a qualified attorney: Seek an attorney familiar with estate planning, especially if you have specific needs like owning a business or having a special-needs child

📌 Take stock of your assets: List your assets, liabilities, and their values before meeting with your attorney

📌 Identify key individuals: Choose trusted individuals to serve as your executor, financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and guardian for your children

📌 Manage your documents: Keep your documents secure, destroy outdated versions, and ensure relevant individuals know where to find them

📌 Consider the softer side of planning: Reflect on personal wishes not covered in legal documents, like preferences for long-term care or values you'd like imparted to your children/grandchildren

📌 Keep your plan current: Regularly update your plan to reflect changes in your life, such as marital status, asset changes, etc.