With 2019 fast approaching, why not make a New Year's resolution that will benefit loved ones this year? By drafting or updating critical estate planning documents with the help of an attorney, you can protect your family in all eventualities. Here are just a few reasons to create a comprehensive estate plan early next year.

To Protect Loved Ones

Since life is unpredictable, even those who are perfectly young and healthy should draft a will. Although everyone might hope for the best, preparing for the worst will ensure loved ones maintain their financial security no matter what happens. Should you die without having made a will, intestate succession will establish who gets what, and the resulting distribution may not be ideal. Fortunately, it’s never too early to start estate planning. If you do take a proactive approach, though, make sure to review all the documents periodically because your situation will likely change over time.

To Track Financial Progress

Before you can create an estate plan, you must inventory all assets and debts. This will provide a clear picture of your financial situation, and doing so at the start of the year has a few benefits. If you’re not where you want to be, for example, you can review the tentative household budget for the year and make adjustments as needed. Then, when it comes time to review estate documents at the start of next year, the milestones you achieved this past year will be apparent—and will also provide the motivation to keep going.

The estate planning team at The Law Offices of Katzman, Logan, Halper and Bennett, LPA is proud to help clients create wills and trusts that protect their loved ones’ best interests. Their attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law, and they will draw upon this experience when counseling you. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, you can count on them for strategic legal guidance regarding personal injury law, criminal defense, business law, divorce, employment law, real estate transactions, guardianship, and probate. To schedule a consultation to discuss your estate planning needs, fill out the form on their website or call (513) 793-4400.