Before the MoonPie Drops:
Your 2026 Estate Planning Checklist
As the year winds down — whether you’re watching the ball drop in Times Square or the MoonPie drop in downtown Mobile — it’s a time to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead.
Between family gatherings, holiday plans, and resolutions for the new year, it’s easy to overlook your estate plan. But before the countdown begins, take an hour to make sure everything still reflects your wishes.
A few simple updates now can spare your loved ones confusion later — and help you start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
-
Review Who’s in Charge
The people you’ve named in your estate plan carry serious responsibility. Make sure your choices still make sense for where life has taken you.
- Executor or Trustee: Are they still able and willing to serve?
- Powers of Attorney: Do your financial and healthcare agents still fit your needs?
- Guardians: If you have minor children or dependents, are your chosen guardians still the right fit?
People move, relationships change, and roles evolve. Updating now prevents difficult adjustments later.
-
Double-Check Beneficiaries
Beneficiary designations often override what’s written in your will or trust, so accuracy is essential. Review your:
- Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), etc.)
- Life insurance policies
- Pay-on-Death (POD) and Transfer-on-Death (TOD) accounts
If your family has welcomed new members, experienced losses, or seen marriages or divorces this year, make sure your designations match your current wishes.
-
Confirm Your Trust and Assets
If you’ve established a trust, ensure it’s properly funded — meaning the assets you intended to protect are titled in the trust’s name.
Then, look at any new property, investments, or accounts you’ve opened this year. If they’re not included in your plan, now’s the time to add them.
-
Account for Life and Law Changes
Even if your personal life hasn’t changed much, the law might have.
Both Alabama and Florida have distinct estate, property, and probate rules. Moving across state lines, selling a business, or retiring can all trigger the need for updates.
A quick review with your attorney ensures your plan stays compliant and effective under your current state’s law.
-
Think About Long-Term Care
Long-term care planning is easy to overlook — until it’s urgent. Consider:
- How you’d pay for care if you or your spouse needed nursing home or in-home care
- Whether your plan protects key assets from potential long-term care costs
- If your financial power of attorney allows for Medicaid or VA benefit planning
Planning ahead offers far more options than waiting until a health crisis arises.
-
Make Sure the Right People Know
An estate plan can’t do its job if no one knows it exists. This season, take a few minutes to let trusted loved ones know:
- Where your documents are stored
- Who to contact if something happens
- The basics of what you’ve set up
You don’t have to share every detail — just make sure the right people know where to look.
-
Review Your Digital Assets
Your online life holds more than memories — it often includes money, accounts, and important information.
Take stock of your digital assets, including:
- Email, cloud storage, and photo accounts
- Social media profiles
- Online banking, PayPal, and subscription services
Alabama and Florida both follow the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which lets you authorize someone to access your digital accounts — but only if you’ve given permission in your will, trust, or power of attorney.*
If you’re not sure where to start, our recent blog “Protecting Your Digital Legacy: A Modern Approach to Estate Planning” walks through how to manage your online life with the same care you give your physical assets.
A few small updates now can save your loved ones significant frustration later.
A Little Planning Now Means Peace of Mind Later
Estate planning isn’t just paperwork; it’s a gift to the people you love.
A short year-end review ensures your plan still reflects your life, protects your family, and honors your values.
At Heircraft Planning, we help Alabama and Florida families keep their plans current so their legacy stays on course, no matter what the new year brings.
Start 2026 with peace of mind. Before the ball or the MoonPie drops, schedule your estate plan review with Heircraft Planning. We’ll help you begin the new year knowing your family is protected and your wishes are clear.
