The course is pristine. You tee up, take a few practice swings, and breathe in the morning air. You’ve made this shot countless times—but golf has a way of humbling even the most seasoned players. The breeze shifts. The grass is damp. That familiar sand trap still guards the flag. You adjust, commit, and swing… only to watch the ball disappear into the bunker.
Golf—and life—both demand skill, adaptability, and patience. Conditions change. Variables shift. What worked yesterday might not work today.
Estate planning is no different. It’s about knowing the terrain, choosing the right tools, and making adjustments as life throws you the occasional water hazard. And since August is National Golf Month, it’s the perfect time to focus not just on lowering your handicap, but on strengthening your plan for the game of life.
Step One: Tee Off with the Basics
In golf, overthinking your swing can cause the dreaded “yips.” In estate planning, overthinking your first step can stall you before you even start.
The best way to beat analysis paralysis? Have a solid pre-shot routine. For estate planning, that means knowing:
- What you own: bank accounts, retirement plans, investments, real estate, vehicles, collections, digital assets.
- What you owe: mortgages, loans, credit cards, other debts.
- Who your beneficiaries are: family, friends, charities.
Think of this as your yardage book—your map of the course. Without it, you’re swinging blind.
Step Two: Choose the Right Club
Golfers know you don’t use a driver for a chip shot. Likewise, estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Your “clubs” might include:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
The right mix depends on your goals, which might be to:
- Avoid probate and simplify transfers to loved ones
- Name trusted decision-makers if you become incapacitated
- Minimize taxes
- Protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, or divorce
- Provide for minor children or loved ones with special needs
- Leave a charitable or multigenerational legacy
A skilled estate planning attorney is your caddy—someone who knows the course, the hazards, and which tools will get you closest to your target.
Step Three: Take the First Swing
There’s nothing like a clean drive down the fairway. In estate planning, that “first swing” is signing your initial set of documents. This single step:
- Names who will manage your affairs
- Sets clear instructions for distributing your assets
- Reduces family conflict
- Protects minor children with nominated guardians
Like a strong opening drive, these documents move you far down the fairway toward your goals.
Step Four: Master the Short Game
A big drive may get you noticed, but “drive for show, putt for dough” is true for golf—and estate planning. The short game is where you fine-tune and adapt.
Life changes. So should your plan. Review and update if you:
- Marry, remarry, or divorce
- Welcome children or grandchildren
- Lose a loved one or key decision-maker
- Acquire or sell property, businesses, or investments
- Experience major changes in wealth or tax laws
Small adjustments over time keep you on track for a winning finish—without needing a mulligan.
Step Five: Play the Full 18
A great front nine means nothing if you fall apart on the back nine. The same goes for your estate plan—you can’t set it and forget it.
Refine it. Review it. Adapt it. The goal is to have a plan that performs well on any course, in any conditions.
This National Golf Month, take a swing at your estate plan. If you need a seasoned caddy for the course ahead, we’re ready to walk it with you.