This section focuses on your goals. Estate planning is personal, and this is an opportunity to highlight the priorities, concerns, and outcomes that matter most to you so we can design a plan that reflects your values and circumstances.
You are not required to select every option that applies, and checking a box does not commit you to any specific legal strategy. This section simply helps guide our conversation and ensures we don’t overlook issues that are important to you.
How to use this section
You will see a list of common estate planning goals and concerns. Review the list and check any items that feel relevant to your situation, whether they are major priorities or simply topics you would like to discuss.
There is no “right” number of boxes to check. Some people select just one or two, while others select many. This section is intended to start a conversation rather than finalize decisions.
At the bottom of the section, you will also have space to describe any additional concerns in your own words.
What these goals help us understand
Each item highlights an area where estate planning can be tailored to your needs.
Checking a box may indicate that you want to:
- plan ahead for taxes,
- health care, or incapacity,
- protect or support certain beneficiaries,
- address complex family or financial situations,
- or ensure specific wishes are clearly documented.
Selecting a goal does not mean a particular strategy will be used. It simply signals that the topic matters to you and should be considered carefully.
Estate planning goals — more detail
The explanations below provide additional context on each goal and may help you decide whether it applies to you. These are simply prompts for reflection. You do not need to answer the questions in writing.
Minimize gift and estate taxes
People often fall on a spectrum when it comes to taxes, from wanting reasonable efficiency to wanting to minimize taxes as much as legally possible. If you see yourself anywhere on that spectrum, this goal may be relevant.
You might select this goal if:
- your total assets may be near or above state estate tax thresholds (often between $1 million and $5 million per person),
- you have made or plan to make significant lifetime gifts,
- you want to understand whether planning now could reduce taxes later,
- or if you are comfortable considering more complex strategies in exchange for tax efficiency.
Provide for a disabled beneficiary
Disabilities may be permanent or temporary and may involve physical, cognitive, or mental health conditions. This goal allows us to design planning that supports a beneficiary without unintentionally affecting benefits or long-term care.
You might select this goal if a beneficiary has a medical or cognitive condition, receives or may receive government assistance, if you are concerned about long-term care needs, or if you want flexibility in how support is provided.
Protect a beneficiary from divorce and creditors
Assets given directly to a beneficiary may become vulnerable to divorce claims, lawsuits, or creditor issues.
You might select this goal if:
- you are concerned about a beneficiary’s spouse gaining access to inherited assets,
- a beneficiary works in a high-risk profession,
- you want assets to remain protected over time,
- if you are unsure whether a beneficiary would take steps to protect inherited assets independently.
Assist a beneficiary with money management skills
This goal focuses on support rather than judgment. Many people want to help beneficiaries manage inherited assets responsibly.
You might select this goal if:
- you are unsure how a beneficiary would handle a large inheritance,
- beneficiaries have different levels of financial experience or maturity,
- you want to establish guidelines around how assets are used,
- or if you want to prevent tension among siblings receiving assets differently.
Provide for grandchildren
This goal allows for multi-generational planning, whether or not you currently have grandchildren.
You might select this goal if:
- you want grandchildren to benefit directly or eventually,
- you are interested in education funding or long-term family support,
- you want flexibility in how assets pass beyond your children,
- or if you are thinking about family legacy as well as immediate inheritance.
Plan for personal illness or disability
This goal focuses on your own care and wishes if you become unable to manage your affairs.
You might select this goal if:
- you want clarity around who makes decisions for you,
- you are concerned about long-term care costs,
- you have health or aging concerns,
- or if you want to ensure your personal values are respected during periods of incapacity.
Provide for charity
Charitable giving can reflect personal values, legacy, or gratitude.
You might select this goal if:
- supporting charitable causes is important to you,
- you already donate during your lifetime,
- charitable giving is a family tradition,
- or if you want flexibility in how charitable gifts are made.
Provide for children from a prior marriage or relationship
Blended families often require additional planning to balance fairness and expectations.
You might select this goal if:
- you have children from multiple relationships,
- you want to support a spouse while preserving assets for children,
- you are concerned about how assets may shift after remarriage,
- or if you want to reduce the possibility of family conflict.
Address a family conflict that might impact planning
Some families have complex dynamics that benefit from clear structure.
You might select this goal if:
- there are strained relationships among family members,
- you are concerned about disputes after your death,
- you want neutral administration or clear instructions,
- or if you want to reduce emotional burdens on loved ones.
Include specific end-of-life wishes and care
This goal focuses on personal dignity and honoring individual values.
You might select this goal if:
- you have strong feelings about medical treatment or comfort care,
- if cultural or religious beliefs influence end-of-life decisions,
- if you want to simplify decision-making for loved ones,
- or if you want your wishes clearly documented.
Use an independent trustee or executor
Some people prefer a neutral or professional person to administer their estate.
You might select this goal if:
- you are concerned about burdening family members,
- you want impartial administration,
- your assets or family situation are complex,
- or if you want to reduce the potential for conflict.
Provide for re-housing and care of pets
Pets are often considered part of the family.
You might select this goal if:
- you want certainty about who will care for your pets,
- you want to avoid last-minute decisions,
- or if you want to provide financial support for their care.
Other planning topics you may want to consider
Every situation is different. In addition to the goals listed above, some people have planning considerations that do not fit neatly into a single category. If any of the topics below apply to you, you can mention them in the “Other concerns” section so we can discuss them together.
Tangible personal property
This includes items such as jewelry, artwork, heirlooms, or collections.
You may want to raise this if:
- you have specific items you want to pass to particular people,
- if certain items hold financial or sentimental value,
- or if you are concerned about how personal belongings may be divided.
Special real estate
Certain properties require additional planning, particularly when families want to keep them long term.
You may want to raise this if:
- you own a vacation property or shared family property,
- you want property to remain within the family,
- or if you are concerned about how multiple beneficiaries might manage a property together.
Gifts of cash
Some people prefer to leave fixed amounts rather than percentages.
You may want to raise this if:
- you want to give a specific dollar amount to a person or charity,
- if you want to provide a simple gift without creating a trust,
- or if you want clarity about who receives certain amounts regardless of overall estate values.
Bloodline-restricted assets
Certain assets may be intended to remain within a specific side of the family.
You may want to raise this if:
- you want property to stay within your bloodline,
- if you own property jointly with relatives,
- or if there are existing agreements about how property must pass.
Beneficiaries other than a spouse at first death
Some people prefer certain assets to pass to others even while a spouse is still living.
You may want to raise this if:
- you have children from a prior relationship,
- you want a business or particular asset to pass directly to someone else,
- or if you want flexibility in how benefits are shared between a spouse and others.
Planning for multiple siblings
When several children or siblings are involved, family dynamics may play an important role.
You may want to raise this if:
- you are unsure whether equal distribution feels fair in your situation,
- your children have very different needs or circumstances,
- if you are concerned about potential conflict, or if you want to support long-term family harmony.