Estate Planning for the 30-Somethings

With thirty being the new twenty, the last thing this generation wants to do is plan for their demise.  Yet, financial experts suggest that his could be the best time to protect your family and your assets in case the unexpected occurs.  “It is imperative that those in their 30s have their estate plans in order, because they have as much to lose as their elders—in fact, sometimes more.”  To get started, experts recommend meeting with an attorney to get the following in place:

1. Last Will and Testament. A will establishes who will inherit your assets when you die, along with other vital aspects including information such as who you want to place in charge of administering your estate and who you want to be the guardians of your minor children.

2. Living Will. This outlines your wishes if you are incapacitated or death is imminent.

3. Power of Attorney. This will identify someone who can make financial decisions for you if you are incapacitated.

4. Health Care Proxy. You will specify a person to make medical decisions on your behalf.  “It even may make sense to have a conversation with the person you identify so that they clearly understand what your wishes are—God forbid these circumstances arise.”

5. Life Insurance. Term insurance is an effective way to cover current debts that you do not want to burden your significant other with should something happen to you.

6. Retirement Fund. It is vital that 30-somethings start saving for retirement, especially if their employers offer incentives such as profit-sharing or matching contributions to a 401(k).

See Michael Lerner, 6 Estate Planning Moves You Should Make in Your 30s, Daily Finance, Oct. 10, 2014.