If you're in your thirties, you might be interested in starting a family, or perhaps you've acquired a list of professional achievements. As you settle into financial adulthood, now is the perfect time to begin estate planning. Whether you're building a home or a stock portfolio, use these tips to get started with an estate planning attorney.

3 Tips for Creating an Estate Plan

1. Start Making an Inventory

The main goal of most estate plans is to help distribute assets among friends, family, and other loved ones when you pass away. Therefore, you can get a head start on planning by making a list of all the assets you own, both tangible and intangible.

This will include real estate, your vehicles, and high-value possessions like fine art or memorabilia. You will also want to include a list of your insurance policies, bonds, stocks, and bank accounts.

2. Don’t Forget Digital Assets

These days, people’s lives also exist in part on the internet. All of the family photos and spring break snapshots associated with your accounts won't be in real scrapbooks. Instead, they are likely on your social media profiles.

To ensure digital assets are not lost, make a list of your accounts and devices, as well as the usernames and passwords. Although these will be essential to your estate plan, in the meantime, stow them in a secure safety deposit box to prevent cybersecurity threats.

3. Start Thinking About Key Figures

Consider the dependents in your life, including kids, elderly parents, and pets, and start thinking about who you trust to care for them if you are unable to.

You’ll also need to choose an executor of the estate to oversee the distribution of your assets. Consider who you would want to make medical or financial decisions on your behalf if you were in an accident and couldn’t communicate. When you meet with your estate planning attorney, they will offer advice on the best or most impartial choices. 

Once you've decided on the key players in your estate plan, give each of them a copy of the appropriate document (power of attorney, beneficiary forms, etc.), so they remain informed and prepared for whatever the future might hold.

For professional help creating your estate plan, reach out to Cada Cada & Jewson of Lincoln, NE. Since 1972, these estate planning attorneys have been helping clients in Lancaster County navigate life’s obstacles, including personal injury claims and estate planning portfolios. You can trust their team to serve you and your loved ones’ best interests. Learn more online or call (402) 477-2233 for a free initial consultation.