When most people hear the phrase estate plan, they think of documents that distribute property, name beneficiaries, and outline financial decisions. And while those documents are an important part of your plan, an estate plan can also reflect something deeper: the values you’ve lived by, the causes you care about, and the stories you hope your loved ones will be telling around the holiday table long after you’re gone.

It’s the time of year when family and friends gather around a table piled high with favorite foods — and sometimes fraught conversations. The stories shared in these moments often become the memories we cherish most, and they can even spark reflections on the legacy we want to leave. If politics and religion are off the table, try these questions to get dialogue flowing across generations at your holiday meal.

Before the snow starts flying, most of us take care of the practical things — cleaning out the garden, closing up the cabin, stashing away the lawn furniture. The cooler temps and falling leaves provide the perfect nudge to get organized before winter sets in.

It’s also an ideal time to do a quick check-up on something you might not think about very often: your estate plan.

The divorce is final, the papers are signed by a judge, and you’ve officially closed that chapter. You deserve a huge sigh of relief.

But wait—before you completely shut the door on lawyers, there’s one critical moment you need to seize: your estate plan.

This isn't about scrambling to fix mistakes; this is about intentionally choosing your new team and designing a secure future.

5 Ways to Encourage Estate Planning (Without Starting a Family Feud)

Wondering how to talk to your family about estate planning without it becoming a difficult conversation? This guide shares 5 practical strategies to encourage loved ones to create a will or trust. Get tips on how to approach the topic constructively and ensure your family's legacy is handled smoothly.

The Fabulous Fifties: A Time to Celebrate, Reflect, and Plan

Turning 50 is a huge milestone. It’s a time to celebrate your accomplishments, reflect on the past, and look forward to all the amazing things to come. You’ve likely built a great life, a thriving family, and a successful career. Now is the perfect time to ensure everything you’ve worked so hard for is protected for the next chapter. 🥳

Navigating the conversation about estate planning with your spouse doesn't have to be overwhelming. This guide from Miroslavich Law offers practical advice on how to initiate and manage these important discussions. Learn key strategies, from choosing the right time and place to listening effectively and knowing when to bring in a professional. Make planning for your future a collaborative and comfortable process.

Pew Research defines the “sandwich generation” as “those who have a living parent age 65 or older and are either raising a child under age 18 or supporting a grown child.” This group of mostly middle-aged adults faces increasing challenges as they care for aging parents while also financially providing for a dependent child.

Congratulations, graduates! As legal adults, 18-year-olds can benefit from establishing a power of attorney. This allows them to choose someone to act on their behalf in financial and legal matters. Miroslavich Law discusses how this document provides security and control for young adults entering a new phase of life.

Turning 18 is a huge milestone, but with new legal adulthood comes the need for crucial documents like a health care directive. Don't wait for an emergency; protect your young adult's healthcare wishes now. Learn why Miroslavich Law emphasizes the importance of a health care directive for every 18-year-old in Minnesota.

“The only constant in life is change.”

Change is everywhere. And perhaps nowhere is it more personal than in our relationships.

Change might mean welcoming a new baby, grieving the loss of a beloved parent, or navigating the end of a long-term relationship. All of these life shifts call for updated estate planning documents—yes, even (and especially) after a divorce.

Many times when we hear about estate planning, it’s during a discussion about death. And that makes sense. It’s common for people to work on estate planning paperwork while getting other affairs in order, such as putting a down payment on a burial plot. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, I like to think about estate planning in the context of LIFE.