Start the Year with Peace of Mind: Why You Should Tackle Your Estate Plan Before the Ball Drops
Every December, the world starts buzzing with talk of New Year’s resolutions.
“New year, new me.” “I’m finally going to get in shape.” “I’ll drink more water, wake up earlier, read more books.”
Some people even say, “This is the year I finally do my estate plan.”
But here’s what usually happens: once the ball drops, the champagne flutes are rinsed, and the calendar flips to January, those well-intentioned resolutions quietly drift to the bottom of the list. Life gets busy again, work picks up, and February arrives faster than anyone expects.
That’s why we suggest flipping the script. Instead of making estate planning your New Year’s resolution, why not complete it before the new year even begins?
December is the Perfect Time
This time of year naturally pushes us to reflect on what matters most: family, stability, and the future we’re building. Estate planning is simply a practical extension of those values.
Whether you’re spending time with loved ones, traveling home, or enjoying a few quiet days between holidays, December gives you the breathing room to finally check this off your list. And once you do, you’ll walk into the new year feeling lighter, clearer, and more prepared than most.
Instead of waking up on January 1st with a list of obligations, you begin the year with something rare: genuine peace of mind.
What “Getting It Done” Really Looks Like
Completing your estate plan doesn’t require a dramatic, all-day effort. With GoodTrust, the process is guided, simple, and entirely online. No office visits, no printing, no paperwork chaos.
Here’s what most people start with:
A Will to ensure their belongings are distributed according to their wishes
A Health Care Directive to specify medical preferences in case of an emergency
A Power of Attorney to designate someone they trust to handle financial decisions
A Pet Directive for the animals who are very much part of the family
A Digital Vault to organize and securely store everything in one place
You can complete these documents from your couch, between holiday movies, or while sipping tea at the kitchen table. You don’t need to have every detail figured out to begin. GoodTrust walks you through each step.
Make Estate Planning Your New Year’s Eve Conversation Starter
Picture this: it’s New Year’s Eve, and everyone is sharing resolutions. Instead of listing intentions that may or may not stick, you can say, “I actually already finished one of the most important things on my list. I completed my estate plan.”
Someone will inevitably ask how you did it, and you can tell them the truth: it was simpler than you expected, and you feel better knowing your wishes are documented and your family is protected.
Starting the year with your estate plan finished isn’t just responsible — it’s something to feel proud of.
Your Gentle End-of-Year Nudge
If estate planning has been sitting on your mental to-do list all year, this is the reminder you’ve been waiting for. Don’t carry this task into next year. Wrap it up now, while you’re already thinking about what matters most.
You’ll enter the new year feeling calm, prepared, and grounded, knowing your estate plan is in place and your loved ones are protected.
Start your plan today.