Did you know that October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month?
It’s the perfect reminder that estate planning isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing act of care for yourself and the people you love.
At Jordan & White, we believe the most important part of estate planning happens after the ink dries. We call that phase Keeping It Great, a rhythm of small updates that ensure your estate plan evolves alongside your life.
And there’s no better time than October to make it a priority.
📅 Why National Estate Planning Awareness Month Matters
Launched to encourage more Americans to create and maintain an estate plan, this national awareness campaign underscores a critical truth:
Too many families face unnecessary legal costs, delays, and conflict—simply because the estate plan was never created or kept up-to-date.
Your estate plan is more than paperwork. It’s your voice—carried forward when you can’t speak for yourself. Keeping it current means your voice remains clear, confident, and aligned with your wishes.
🍁 Why October Works So Well
October offers a natural pause point; an ideal time to step back and reflect:
- You’re back in your routine. Summer is over, school is back in session, and life is settling into rhythm.
- You’ve got runway. There’s time before the holidays to make thoughtful updates and have important family conversations.
- It’s a great tax strategy moment. For families with gifting, charitable, or trust-related plans, fall is the sweet spot before year-end deadlines hit.
🔁 What Does It Mean to “Keep It Great”?
Estate plans can go stale—fast. Life moves, laws change, and assets shift. That’s why we encourage every client to revisit their estate plan at least every 2 to 3 years.
Our Great Life Check-In includes:
✅ Reviewing beneficiary designations
✅ Confirming trustees, guardians, and agents are still right
✅ Ensuring accounts and property are correctly titled
✅ Spotting red flags from tax or law changes
✅ Updating your legacy instructions or charitable intentions
Even small changes can make a big difference in protecting your loved ones.
🔍 Have Life’s Big Moments Changed Your Plans?
Life rarely stays still. When major events happen, they often affect how your estate plan should look. If any of these sound familiar, an update might be due:
- Marriage or divorce
- The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- A large change in income, inheritance, or retirement plans
- A move to another state or country
- Health changes for a chosen Personal Representative or Devisee
Each of these moments can shift your priorities, who receives what, who’s in charge, and how your wishes are carried out.
A new spouse or child needs to be named, and a move outside Massachusetts can make older documents less effective.
The Keeping It Great process ensures your estate plan reflects your life as it is now, not as it was when you first signed it.
🚀 Ready to Take the First Step?
This October, celebrate Estate Planning Awareness Month by taking action:
📄 Download our free Estate Planning Launch Pad to get started
🧭 Book a Great Life Check-In—a no-pressure review with our team
📞 Have questions? We’re just a call away and happy to help
Let’s make sure your estate plan keeps up with your Great Life.