Six Estate Planning Questions to Ask in the Sixth Month

June is a special time in Maine. The days are longer, summer is beginning, and families are heading to camp, spending weekends on the water, welcoming visitors, and enjoying a slower pace after a busy spring.

June is also the sixth month of the year. That makes it a good time to pause and check in on your estate plan.

A lot can change in six months. Your family may change. Your finances may change. Your health needs may change. Your wishes may change too.

A mid-year review does not always mean you need to rewrite your estate plan. In many cases, it simply confirms that everything still looks right. When something does need attention, however, it is better to catch it now than leave confusion for later.

Here are six estate planning questions to ask in the sixth month.

1. Is My Will Still Current?

Your will is one of the main documents in your estate plan. It says who should receive your property. It also names the person who should handle your estate.

Parents of minor children may also use a will to name a guardian.

As you reach the midpoint of the year, ask whether your will still reflects your wishes. Has anything changed in your family since January? Have you experienced a marriage, divorce, birth, death, or change in an important relationship?

You should also look at the person you named to handle your estate. Does that person still make sense for the role? Can they manage the responsibility? Would they communicate well with your family?

For many Maine families, summer brings loved ones together. That makes June a natural time to think about whether your plan still reflects the people and priorities that matter most.

2. Does My Trust Still Fit My Life?

If you have a trust, review it from time to time. A trust can help manage and distribute assets. It can also give clear direction to your loved ones.

Your trust should match your current life.

Have you bought or sold real estate? Have you opened new accounts? Did you change your wishes? Has your family gone through a major event? Any of these changes may affect your trust.

This can matter even more if you own a Maine camp, vacation property, family land, or property that multiple generations care about. These assets often carry both financial and emotional value.

A trust can provide helpful structure. It works best when it stays current and fits with the rest of your estate plan.

3. Is the Right Person Named in My Financial Power of Attorney?

A financial power of attorney lets someone you trust handle financial matters for you if you cannot handle them yourself.

That person may need to pay bills, manage accounts, handle real estate issues, or speak with financial institutions.

June is a good time to ask whether you still trust the person named in your financial power of attorney to do the job. Is that person available? Are they responsible? Could they step in if needed? Do they understand your wishes?

This document can matter during illness, injury, or travel. As summer begins and many Mainers spend more time away from home, a current financial power of attorney can bring peace of mind.

4. Is My Healthcare Power of Attorney Up to Date?

Your healthcare power of attorney names the person who can make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.

This is a very personal choice.

Choose someone you trust. That person should feel comfortable talking with doctors, following your wishes, and making difficult decisions during stressful times.

If your relationship with that person has changed, review the document. You should also revisit it if that person’s health, location, or availability has changed.

A healthcare power of attorney is not just for older adults. Medical emergencies can happen at any age. Keeping this document current helps your loved ones know who has authority to act.

5. Do My Living Will and HIPAA Authorization Still Reflect My Wishes?

A living will gives guidance about the medical care you would or would not want in certain serious health situations.

A HIPAA authorization allows the people you name to access medical information. Without it, family members may have trouble getting the information they need to help you.

People often overlook these documents. But in an emergency, they can make a difficult situation easier for your loved ones.

During a mid-year review, make sure these documents still reflect your wishes. Also check that you have named the right people.

6. Does My Estate Plan Still Fit My Life?

Estate planning is not only about preparing for the end of life. It is also about making things easier, clearer, and more organized for the people you care about.

Before summer fills up with family visits, vacations, weddings, reunions, and weekends away, ask what has changed since the start of the year.

Have your family, finances, health, property, or relationships changed? Have you bought or sold a home, camp, or other real estate? Have your priorities shifted?

A mid-year review does not always require major changes. Sometimes, it simply confirms that your documents remain current and your wishes remain clear.

When updates are needed, making them now can help protect your family and give everyone greater peace of mind.

A Mid-Year Review Can Bring Peace of Mind

June is the sixth month of the year, making it a fitting time to ask these six estate planning questions.

Your answers may show that your plan still works well. They may also show that a few updates would help.

Either way, reviewing your estate plan now can help you enter the summer season with more confidence. You will know that your wishes are clear and your loved ones have better protection. Give us a call at (207)848-5600 if you'd like to set up a free consultation.