You'll still want an attorney for the will and the trust. But these three moves cost nothing and prevent the most common legacy mistakes.
Real estate planning needs a real attorney. But three of the most common 'my estate didn't go the way I wanted' stories have nothing to do with the will — and everything to do with paperwork you can fix this week, for free.
First, beneficiary designations. Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary form, not by will. If your ex-spouse is still listed on a 401(k) from 2009, that's who inherits. Pull every account and check.
Second, transfer-on-death (TOD) and payable-on-death (POD) titling on bank and brokerage accounts. These let accounts pass directly to a named person without probate — fast, private, and free to set up at the institution.
Third, a simple letter of instruction. Not legally binding, but it tells your family where everything is: accounts, policies, passwords (in a secure manager), key contacts, and what you'd want for arrangements. The grief is hard enough without a scavenger hunt.
Do those three before your next attorney appointment and you'll save them time, save yourself money, and protect the people you actually planned all this for.
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