A Trip to the Dentist and My Estate Plan

Every 6 months, it is recommend that you visit your dentist. I have done this for as long as I can remember, and have taught my kids to do the same. I have never enjoyed going, but understand the importance of it and going regularly. Having them cleaned, checked out, and x-rayed from time to time, helps to catch any issues that might be cropping up. It is always a good day to walk out of the office with a high five from my dentist and no cavities.
So, why would I think about my estate plan while at the dentist? How could they possibly be related?
There are more similarities than the average person may think. I realized a few years ago that an estate plan was not about how much money you might have, or your age in life. But more so about planning and taking care of the important things in my life. Just like I take care of my teeth, I want to take care of my family in the event that I am unable to.
So, I set up a plan. It details out all of the things that I want to have happen in the event I am unable to make decisions or I am no longer around. Whew. Got that off of my plate. But the second miss-conception is that once I have a plan done, there is no other work needed. I found out quickly that this is not the case.
Just like the visit to the dentist every 6 months, my estate plan also needs to be reviewed. While it is not always fun to talk about my own death or what might happen, being in control of the decisions that need to be made in that event, gives me the peace of mind I need. Who knows better than myself? Also, things change. Since plan was first created, my children have grown, I might have moved, or have accumulated a new retirement plan – my wishes might change. So, every couple of years, I visit with my estate planning attorney and my plan gets a “checkup”.
Getting a regular review follows the same path as taking care of my teeth, but less painful than having a having a new filling because I didn’t brush properly.

About Morris Hall, PLLC:
At Morris Hall, PLLC we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 45 years. Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, power of attorneys, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting and other important legal aspects. We also have divisions in financial, real estate and accounting to help you incorporate all of your planning together, ensuring that everything works perfectly for your needs and situation. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Carefree, Tucson, Oro Valley, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff and Arrowhead. Our New Mexico offices are located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe. Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.