Every September, National Preparedness Month encourages people across the country to take steps to protect themselves and their families from unexpected crises. Most people immediately think of preparing emergency supplies, securing their homes, or planning evacuation routes; however, true preparation also requires ensuring that your legal and financial affairs are organized. National Preparedness Month makes September an ideal time to look closely at your estate plan to ensure that your assets are protected and your wishes are clearly expressed. The Los Angeles attorneys at Schomer Law Group, APC encourage you to treat National Preparedness Month not only as a chance to refresh your emergency kit but also as an annual reminder to review and revisit your estate plan to give yourself and your family greater peace of mind.
Why Estate Planning Belongs in Your Preparedness Strategy
Designed to raise awareness of natural disasters, medical emergencies, and other unexpected events that can cause disruption, National Preparedness Month has been observed in the United States since 2004. While protecting your home and having supplies ready are crucial, it is equally important to plan for the legal and financial consequences that often follow a sudden crisis. An updated estate plan can prevent confusion, disputes, and unnecessary expense during difficult times. Disasters, accidents, or health emergencies can leave you incapacitated or even result in the sudden loss of life, and if your estate plan is incomplete or outdated, your loved ones may face delays in court, higher costs, and unnecessary stress while trying to manage your affairs. Reviewing your estate documents in September ensures that your plans reflect your current circumstances and provide the guidance your family will need. Preparedness is about more than flashlights and water. It is about making sure every part of your life is protected. Just as you would check your smoke detectors or update an evacuation plan, reviewing your estate plan every September can serve as a built-in routine to address both immediate safety and long-term security.
Reasons to Review Your California Estate Plan
Estate planning is not something to complete once and forget. Your plan should evolve as your life, assets, and family circumstances change. National Preparedness Month offers a convenient reminder each year to stop and reassess whether your plan still meets your goals. By using National Preparedness Month as your yearly checkpoint, you align your estate planning with an established national effort to protect families from unforeseen events. Consider some of the most common reasons Californians benefit from a yearly review:
- Life Events. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the passing of a family member, or significant changes in your finances all impact your estate plan. These changes often require you to revise your Will, trusts, or beneficiary designations.
- Changes in Law. Federal and California state laws governing estate taxes, probate procedures, and asset protection strategies can shift over time. An estate plan that was valid a decade ago may no longer take advantage of available protections or tax savings.
- New or Lost Assets. If you have purchased real estate, opened new investment accounts, sold property, or started a business, your estate plan should reflect those updates. Assets not properly addressed in your plan may be subject to probate or distributed in ways you did not intend.
- Healthcare Planning. Preparedness includes medical readiness. Review your Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA authorization, and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to ensure that someone you trust has the authority to make decisions if you cannot.
What Should Be in Your Estate Planning Emergency Kit?
Think of your estate plan as a protective toolkit, much like the emergency supplies you keep at home. Just as food, water, and medical supplies help you endure a disaster, legal documents ensure your loved ones are cared for when you are no longer able to act on your own behalf. A thorough estate plan in California should typically include:
- A current Last Will and Testament
- One or more properly funded trusts
- Durable Power of Attorney for finances
- Advance Health Care Directive and HIPAA authorization
- Living Will or clear medical instructions
- Updated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies
- A personal letter of instructions to guide your family on matters outside of formal legal documents
When these pieces are in place, your loved ones will have both the legal authority and practical guidance to act on your behalf without unnecessary conflict or delay.
Can We Help You Review Your California Estate Plan for National Preparedness Month?
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you are interested in reviewing your California estate plan during National Preparedness Month this September, contact the experienced Los Angeles estate planning attorneys at Schomer Law Group APCby calling (310) 337-7696 to schedule an appointment.
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