Your Summer Estate Planning Checklist

Summer Is for Sunshine—And a Smart Estate Plan

I’ll be honest—there’s nothing like the first real taste of summer. Windows down, music up, sunscreen everywhere, and just enough optimism to believe I can finally take a proper vacation. Every year, I try to unplug. And every year, somewhere between packing the cooler and loading the kids in the car, I remember something important: peace of mind doesn’t just come from taking time off. It comes from knowing things are handled at home, too. As you dust off the grill and pack for that long-awaited beach trip, it’s the perfect time to tackle something that often gets pushed to the fall: your summer estate planning checklist.

Think of it this way—summer is about slowing down and spending time with the people you love. What better way to protect them than making sure your legal documents are up to date?

What to Include in Your Summer Estate Planning Checklist

This summer, while you’re planning road trips, booking beach houses, and triple-checking whether your Airbnb has air conditioning (learned that one the hard way), take a moment to consider what else should be on your summer checklist:

• Do you have a will or trust in place?

• Have you updated your powers of attorney since your kids turned 18?

• Is your emergency contact still someone who knows what to do if something happens to you?

Whether you’re headed to Lake Michigan or just relaxing in your backyard, take an hour to make sure your affairs are in order. Here’s what your summer estate planning checklist should include:

✅ 1. Update Your Will or Living Trust

Life changes fast—especially during wedding season or after graduations. If you’ve had a baby, bought a home, or experienced a loss, your will or trust may need updates.

✅ 2. Check Your Powers of Attorney

If your children just turned 18 and are heading to college, they now need powers of attorney for you to access medical or financial information in an emergency. Add this to your summer checklist—it’s a big one!

✅ 3. Review Beneficiary Designations

Your retirement accounts, life insurance, and even bank accounts may allow you to name beneficiaries. Make sure they align with your current wishes.

✅ 4. Organize Emergency Info Before You Travel

Going on a trip? Be sure someone you trust knows where to find your estate plan and has access to key contacts and information in case something unexpected happens.

Why Summer Is the Best Time to Plan

Estate planning doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it’s one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. Summer gives us the chance to reflect, reset, and reconnect. And that makes it a great time to pause and ask:

“If something happened to me tomorrow, would my family know what to do?”

If the answer is “I’m not sure,” it’s time to check off your summer estate planning checklist.

Let’s Get It Done Before Labor Day

As an estate planning attorney in Illinois, I help families across Lake County create plans that work—plans that protect what matters most and give you peace of mind, whether you’re at home or on the road. So while you’re enjoying sunshine and sangria, consider carving out an hour for something just as refreshing: creating a plan that protects your future.

Before you finalize your summer travel plans, schedule a consultation. It’s one more item off your list—and one less thing to worry about. Ready to make that appointment before the next heat wave? I’ve got the air conditioning on and a checklist ready.

Let us help today!