Written by Hazel Secco, CFP®, CDFA®
Does estate planning always seem to fall to the bottom of your to-do list? You’re not alone. It’s one of those important tasks that’s easy to postpone, until life reminds us why it matters.
My hope is that this article gives you the motivation to take action. Estate planning isn’t about perfection; it’s about maintaining and updating your plans so you can protect your family and gain peace of mind. Small steps today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.
A financial advisor can help turn estate planning from an overwhelming chore into a manageable, thoughtful process. Your advisor does more than suggest investment strategies. They become a partner in creating an estate plan that protects your assets, reflects your values, and ensures your wishes are carried out the way you intend.
Let’s explore how a financial advisor can guide you through estate planning—from navigating family dynamics to coordinating with other professionals, and keeping your plan current as your life evolves.
Table of contents
The Human Side of Estate Planning
Estate planning isn’t just about money. It’s deeply connected to family relationships, emotions, and personal values. In fact, family conflict—not market risk or taxes—is the biggest threat to successful wealth transfer across generations.
Family Dynamics and Communication
Clear communication is often the missing link in estate planning. Research shows that breakdowns in trust and communication account for a majority of failed wealth transfers.
A financial advisor can help facilitate family conversations and guide sensitive discussions around expectations and responsibilities.
Helpful strategies include:
- Sharing the framework of your plan without disclosing every detail
- Explaining the reasoning behind major decisions
- Clarifying who will take on key roles
- Holding periodic family meetings to review plans as life changes
Values-Based Legacy Planning
Your estate plan is an opportunity to pass down more than financial assets. More importantly, it’s your chance to pass down your values, lessons, and intentions.
Values-based estate planning ensures your legacy reflects what truly matters to you, whether that’s education, philanthropy, faith, or family traditions. A thoughtful plan helps future generations understand not just what you left behind, but why.
Addressing Emotional Barriers
Many people avoid estate planning because of emotional hurdles, such as fear of mortality, discomfort around control, or concern about sharing personal information.
A financial advisor helps by:
- Breaking complex decisions into manageable steps
- Creating a safe, neutral space for sensitive conversations
- Acting as a “quarterback,” coordinating discussions while maintaining professional boundaries
Estate planning isn’t about confronting the end. It’s about preserving harmony and clarity for the people you love.
Maximizing Your Estate Planning Team
A strong estate plan requires coordination, expertise, and thoughtful decision-making. Your financial advisor often serves as the quarterback, ensuring all professionals work together toward your goals.
Selecting the Right Professionals
A well-rounded estate planning team typically includes:
- A financial advisor to oversee strategy and cash flow
- An estate planning attorney to draft legal documents
- A tax professional to address tax implications
It’s important to work with professionals who specialize in estate planning, rather than those who treat it as a side service.
Coordinating Advisory Services
Your financial advisor acts as your central point of contact, helping align investment strategies with trust structures, beneficiary designations, and tax planning. This coordination prevents gaps, overlaps, or conflicting recommendations.
Cost-Benefit Considerations
Comprehensive estate planning can range from a few thousand dollars to more complex planning costs. While the upfront investment may feel significant, a well-designed plan often pays for itself through:
- Reduced estate and income taxes
- Lower probate and legal costs
- Fewer family disputes and delays
The real value is peace of mind—saving your loved ones time, stress, and confusion when it matters most.
Implementing Your Estate Strategy
Even the best plan needs proper execution. Organization and follow-through are essential.
Document Organization and Accessibility
Your estate documents should be stored securely and be accessible to the right people. A financial advisor can help you organize:
- Wills and trust documents
- Powers of attorney
- Life insurance policies
- Property deeds
- Account statements
- Digital asset access information
Make sure your executor knows where these documents are kept.
Asset Inventory Management
A complete and up-to-date asset inventory prevents assets from being overlooked or left unclaimed.
This includes:
- Physical assets: real estate, vehicles, valuables
- Financial assets: bank accounts, investments, retirement plans, insurance policies
Your advisor can help maintain and update this inventory over time.
Regular Review Schedules
Estate plans should generally be reviewed every three to five years, or sooner after major life events such as:
- Marriage or divorce
- Births or deaths in the family
- Significant changes in wealth
Your financial advisor can build these reviews into your ongoing planning process.
Take the Next Step
Estate planning is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make—not just for you, but for your family and future generations.
A trusted financial advisor helps simplify the process, coordinate professionals, and guide you through both the technical and emotional aspects of planning. With the right support, your estate plan can protect assets, preserve relationships, and clearly express your wishes.
If you’re ready to take the next step, let’s schedule a quick introductory call. We’ll discuss how we help clients create thoughtful, well-structured estate plans that bring clarity and peace of mind, so your legacy unfolds exactly as you envision it.
References
- https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/wealth-planning/trusts-and-estates/we-need-to-talk-communicating-your-estate-plan-with-your-family
- https://stgestateplanning.com/what-is-values-based-estate-planning/
- https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/library/issues-that-hinder-estate-planning-in-texas-and-arkansas.cfm
- https://www.cohnreznick.com/services/tax/trusts-and-estates
- https://www.actec.org/resource-center/video/how-to-choose-an-estate-planning-attorney/
- https://www.kitces.com/blog/financial-advisor-estate-planning-attorney-planning-cooperation-roles-client-referrals/
- https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/finding-an-estate-planning-attorney
- https://coelderlaw.com/cost-benefit-analysis-of-estate-planning/
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/practical-estate-planning-organize-documents-29660.html
- https://www.huschblackwell.com/newsandinsights/guide-to-reviewing-your-estate-plan
- https://www.wealthmanagement.com/estate-planning/estate-tech-revolution-picking-speed
Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.