Military Families Should Consider Estate Planning This National Estate Planning Awareness Week
In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives marked the third week of October as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. It serves as an important reminder to reflect on safeguarding your assets, protecting your loved ones, and creating a lasting legacy. For military families, sacrifice and navigating the unexpected are part of everyday life, making this planning even more crucial. This October 21-27, we encourage families to pause from the busyness of military life and give themselves peace of mind by taking control of their future.
Why is estate planning something to consider for my military family?
Estate planning aims to develop a strategy that will maintain your financial security throughout your lifetime and ensure your wishes are followed. Military families face frequent relocations, deployments, and unique risks associated with service to the nation, creating a need for stability and preparation. With an estate plan, your wishes will be clear, and your family will be safeguarded.
How do I start my estate planning?
Military-specific resources are available to the military community through your installation’s legal services office. At the National Military Family Association, we’ve partnered with LifeLegacy to provide families with a free online tool to create a will. Through LifeLegacy’s charitable giving component, you can also leave a planned gift to NMFA to help us continue our work supporting military families for years to come.
After I create an estate plan, what should I keep in mind?
It is important to review your estate plan periodically to capture events such as the birth or adoption of a child, marriage/divorce, or retirement. Keeping an updated estate plan will ensure your wishes are current and your family won’t face any legal challenges. Simply log in to LifeLegacy to review or update your plans anytime.
An estate plan covers more than just financial security and assets—it is a way to ensure your military family will be protected no matter where life takes you. Let this National Estate Planning Awareness Week be your time to pause and ensure your estate plans are in order—it’s never too early to plan for the future.
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
