It’s that time of year again – the holidays are coming to a close. As the festivities wind up, the new year brings a promise of renewal and a fresh start. Many people take the opportunity at this time of year to take stock of their lives, and their goals for the upcoming year. Often, these goals are financially-based, whether it’s saving more money, paying down debt, or just “getting my finances in order”.

The new year, then, is the time for an important reminder: having a thoughtfully-considered estate plan in place is a critical component of financial wellness. As all estate planners know, an estate plan can help to minimize taxes; it can ensure a spouse, children, and other loved ones are cared for in an appropriate manner; and it can provide that the right, trusted advisors continue to manage a person’s assets, even after death.

Let this be a reminder to all – first, to ensure that your own estate plan is in order, and second, in the spirit of a fresh start, to reach out to existing clients to ensure that their plans reflect their current circumstances and wishes, and to prospective clients, to start or continue the process to put a plan in place.

Happy New Year to all!