Planning · Documents and beneficiaries
Estate planning basics, and beneficiary hygiene
We are not attorneys and we do not draft documents. What we can do is make sure your policies pay the right person, and that someone can speak for you.
In plain words
Where we help, and where we stop
Life insurance and retirement accounts pass by beneficiary designation, not by will. A designation written at a first marriage and never revisited will beat the most carefully drafted will in the country, and we see it happen. Reviewing those forms takes ten minutes and is the single highest-value thing most households can do.
Beyond that, our role is to make sure the documents your attorney drafts and the policies we place point in the same direction — and to say plainly when you need a lawyer instead of an agent.
- Beneficiary designations on every policy reviewed, primary and contingent
- Healthcare surrogate and power of attorney discussed before they are needed
- Policy ownership checked where taxes or Medicaid planning are in play
- A clear handoff to an attorney for wills, trusts and anything drafted
What we handle
The review we run
Beneficiary review
Primary and contingent names on every policy and account you tell us about.
Healthcare surrogate
Who can speak to a plan or a doctor for you, and what they may change.
Final expense
The practical cost of a funeral, and whether it is already funded.
Document handoff
A list your attorney can work from, so nothing is drafted twice.
Questions
What people ask us about this
Yes. Beneficiary designations control the policies and accounts that carry them; a will handles everything else and names a guardian if you have children.
Only with the right authority on file with the plan or with Medicare. A surrogate appointed for medical decisions is not automatically authorised to change coverage.
No. We are licensed insurance advisors, not attorneys. We will tell you what to ask for and hand you a tidy list to take to one.
Talk it through with a person
Our help costs you nothing. We are paid by the carrier you choose, and your premium is the same whether you enrol with us or on your own.
- No cost to you
- CRBC™ · MPA-C™
- No pressure, ever
Get a free plan review
A licensed local advisor, usually the same day.
(912) 555-0148Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:00 pm