Ah, the holiday season. A magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, festive cookies, and at least one family member who believes “Die Hard” is absolutely a Christmas movie (even though we all know it isn’t).
It’s also the one time of year when many of us pause to reflect on gratitude, togetherness, and—if you’re in my line of work—how wildly overdue everyone is on updating their estate plans.
Before you scroll away to buy another inflatable lawn snowman, hear me out. Nothing says holiday cheer like making sure your loved ones won’t be fighting over your air fryer someday.
🎁 1. The Gift of Not Leaving a Legal Dumpster Fire Behind
Updating your will, trust, or beneficiary designations ensures your wishes are clearly documented and your assets are protected. Without a plan, families can face confusion or disputes—something no one wants on their holiday wish list.
Think of it like labeling your leftovers after the big dinner: simple, thoughtful, and guaranteed to prevent unnecessary arguments. Estate planning is basically the adult version of labeling your leftovers before someone else “accidentally” eats them. Without instructions, chaos reigns and ultimately, feelings are hurt.
🎄 2. Holiday Gatherings = Perfect Planning Time
Everyone’s already together! Sure, half the family is arguing about politics, and someone drank the last cup of egg nog despite claiming dairy intolerance—but the gang’s assembled!
This is the ideal moment to casually say:
“Pass the gravy—and by the way, who wants to be my healthcare proxy?”
It’s a conversation starte and it pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes and mild existential dread.
🎅 3. Consider Your Legacy… and Your Lawn Decorations
Maybe you’ve thought about who gets the house or the retirement accounts, but have you thought about who inherits your 14 boxes of sentimental junk in the garage? Or that animatronic Santa Claus who terrifies small children?
This is your chance to make intentional choices:
- Who gets the fine china?
- Who gets the vintage holiday records?
- Who gets your uncanny life-size nutcracker statue because you know it’ll haunt them just a little?
🕯️ 4. The Season of Peace on Earth (And Among Your Beneficiaries)
If you don’t write things down, your heirs may attempt to interpret your “verbal wishes.” This never ends well. There will be debates. There will be group texts with too many exclamation points. Someone will say, “Well, Mom told me that I will get the jewelry!”
Do yourself and everyone else a favor—give the gift of clarity.
☃️ 5. Estate Planning Is Basically Like Holiday Decorating
So, here’s the thing:
- You think you’ll do it in October.
- Suddenly it’s mid-December.
- You don’t know how half the stuff in the attic got there.
- You question every life decision.
- But in the end, everything looks great and you feel weirdly proud of yourself.
It’s basically the same energy.
🍪 6. Cookies Are Temporary. Trusts Are Forever.
Sure, gingerbread men don’t last long (especially if left near unsupervised children or adult sized kids at heart). But a trust? A beautifully structured, tax-efficient, thoughtfully drafted trust?
That’s the kind of cookie that stays crisp for generations.
🎁 Final Thought: Make Estate Planning Your Least-Regretted Holiday Decision
Look, you don’t have to do it all at once. Start small:
- Review your beneficiaries
- Update your will
- Create a living will
- Hide the elf on the shelf somewhere nobody will find it until 2037
Whatever your holiday traditions, add this one: give yourself—and your family—the gift of preparedness.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not sparkly. But it’s way more helpful than another ugly sweater.
🎄 Ready to Wrap Up More Than Just Presents? 🎁
Give your future (and your family) the gift of peace of mind this holiday season.
✨ Schedule your estate planning consultation today—
because nothing says “I care” like making sure your loved ones don’t have to fight over the holiday turkey platter someday.
➡️ Book now, sip cocoa later.
Your future self is already humming carols in appreciation.
©Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. 35 Arnold Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, 336 South Street, Hyannis MA 02601 and 45 Bristol Drive, Easton MA 02375. This article is for illustration purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice. There is no attorney/client relationship created with Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. by this article. DO NOT make decisions based upon information in this article. Every family is unique and legal advice can only be given after an individual consultation with an elder law attorney. Any decisions made without proper legal advice may cause significant legal and financial problems.
