Written by Amy Parvaneh in partnership with LegalZoom
Estate planning matters because it’s what ultimately secures your legacy.
Estate planning is often misunderstood as something you do only at the end of life. In reality, it’s a living process; one that adapts to every new chapter. Divorce, remarriage, retirement, selling a business, or even moving to another state all bring new questions about how to structure and protect your wealth.
Whether you’re asking “how do I set up a trust after divorce?”, “who can help me make a will after remarriage?”, or “what to do with inheritance money legally?”, estate planning gives you the clarity to move forward with confidence.
Why Estate Planning Matters at Every Stage
Estate planning matters because it’s what ultimately secures your legacy. At its core, it means putting the right documents in place — usually a will, a trust, or both — so your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. These are the tools that decide who receives what, how smoothly assets transfer, and how responsibilities are managed.
But life doesn’t stand still. The plan that worked when you were 30 may no longer work when you’re 60. Estate planning is not about preparing for death; it’s about ensuring that your life’s work continues to support your family as circumstances change.
When Families Revisit Their Estate Plans
Estate planning is not a one-time event — it evolves as your life does. Families often revisit their plans during key milestones:
After retirement, when income sources shift, lifestyle goals change, and families begin asking who the best estate planner after retirement might be to help align finances with new realities.
After selling a business, when a liquidity event raises questions like “where do I start with estate planning after selling my business?” and how to protect proceeds for future generations.
After divorce or remarriage, when family dynamics shift and there’s a need to update trusts and wills (how do I set up a trust after divorce? who can help me make a will after remarriage?).
When blending families, to clarify responsibilities and inheritance so that estate planning for blended families avoids future conflict.
When facing a diagnosis or health concern, which prompts urgent conversations about powers of attorney and who to talk to about estate planning after diagnosis.
When relocating to another state, since local laws can affect trusts, taxes, and property transfers, leading many to search estate planning when moving to another state.
When sudden wealth arrives, whether through inheritance, equity, or other windfalls, and families look for the best estate attorney for sudden wealth to ensure assets are preserved, not squandered.
When it’s time for a check-up, even if no major event has occurred. Just as you see a doctor for preventive care, revisiting your estate plan once a year ensures documents remain current, beneficiaries are up to date, and your wishes still reflect your life today.
Wills and Trusts in Plain Language
A will spells out who should receive your property after you pass away. It names someone — called an executor — to handle your affairs and ensures your instructions are carried out. Wills are processed through probate court, which validates the document and oversees the transfer of assets. Beyond property, a will can also designate guardians to care for minor children — one of the most important decisions any parent can make. Read more here.
A trust works like a will in that it specifies how your property is distributed, but it goes further. A trust is a separate legal entity that holds and manages assets on your behalf. You transfer property into the trust, appoint a trustee to manage it, and set rules for when and how beneficiaries receive their inheritance. One of the key advantages is that many trusts help avoid probate, often saving time, reducing costs, and keeping details more private.
For a widow wondering “who helps with wills for widows?” or a parent asking “how to protect my kids if something happens to me?”, these documents aren’t abstract legal concepts. They are everyday protections that make difficult transitions less overwhelming — and give families the clarity they deserve.
What’s the difference between a Will and a Trust? Read here.
Professional Guidance: Who Does Estate Planning?
When people begin the process, it’s only natural to wonder where to start. Should you work with a professional, or is an online platform enough?
You may be asking:
“who provides estate planning services?”
“who are the top estate planning firms?”
“who is the best will writer?”
“best will writers near me”
“top estate planning lawyers”
The two most common options are:
Estate Planning Attorneys
An estate planning attorney is a qualified professional who can create a comprehensive plan tailored to your circumstances. They can draft wills, trusts, and powers of attorney; advise on complex family dynamics like blended families or remarriage; and handle issues such as business succession or multi-state property. Families searching for the best estate planning firms, top estate planning lawyers, or the best trusts and wills lawyer near me are usually looking for this level of personalized expertise.
Online Estate Planning Platforms
For families with simpler needs, online estate planning services make it possible to create wills, trusts, and healthcare directives quickly and affordably. Companies like LegalZoom provide an accessible way to create wills, trusts, and healthcare directives online with guided support.
The main difference comes down to complexity and customization. If your situation is straightforward, an online estate planning service near you may be sufficient. If your circumstances involve larger estates, sudden wealth, or complex family needs, an estate planning attorney is often the better route.
Key Benefits of Estate Planning
Regardless of which path you choose — attorney or online platform — the benefits of estate planning are concrete and immediate. Here’s how they play out in real life:
Security for children
Estate planning ensures your children are provided for, both financially and practically. A will makes certain their inheritance is clearly accounted for, while a trust can delay distributions until they reach adulthood or specific milestones. If they are minors, you can name guardians you trust to raise them, avoiding uncertainty or court battles. For many parents asking “how to protect my kids if something happens to me,” these steps offer reassurance that their children will be supported in every way.
Clarity for spouses and blended families
When families include stepparents, stepchildren, or grandchildren from multiple marriages, emotions can complicate inheritances. A clear estate plan makes your wishes explicit so everyone knows what to expect. For example, you may want to provide for a current spouse while also reserving assets for children from a previous marriage. Proper documents ensure that estate planning for blended families avoids misunderstandings and conflict.
Guidance for handling sudden wealth or inheritance
Whether it’s a business sale, stock options, or an unexpected inheritance, sudden wealth can feel overwhelming. Without a plan, families often ask “what to do with inheritance money legally?” Estate planning documents provide a framework, protecting assets from unnecessary taxes, poor investment decisions, or even creditors. This guidance ensures windfalls are preserved, not dissipated.
Preparedness after life changes
Divorce, remarriage, retirement, relocation, or a diagnosis — each major change creates ripple effects on your financial life. Estate planning helps you adjust: updating beneficiaries after remarriage, reviewing trusts after retirement, or ensuring powers of attorney are in place after a health diagnosis. Instead of scrambling when change happens, you’re already prepared.
Peace of mind that your wishes are written and protected
The greatest benefit is intangible but invaluable: certainty. When your will or trust is signed, notarized, and stored safely, you no longer have to wonder if your wishes will be carried out. Your family knows where to turn, and you can focus on living your life, not worrying about “what ifs.”
Taking the First Step
The truth is, estate planning isn’t about choosing the “perfect” option; it’s about not waiting. Whether you work with one of the top estate planning firms in your city or use a guided online platform like LegalZoom, what matters most is that you put protections in place and update them as your life evolves.
Final Word
Estate planning is not about endings. It’s about transitions. It’s about protecting children, respecting new spouses, simplifying retirement, and safeguarding businesses you’ve built.
Think of it this way: every time your life changes, your estate plan should, too. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, moving across the country, or retiring after decades of hard work, planning now means your family won’t face unnecessary questions later.
If you have any questions around finding an estate planning attorney, finding a new wealth manager, or building out your own family office, please contact Amy.
As founder of Select Advisors Institute, Amy serves as the chief integrator, translator, and protector for UHNW and HNW individuals and families who want to stay in control - without being in the weeds.
With her background at firms like Goldman Sachs, PIMCO, and Citi, and having advised hundreds of wealth management firms across the country, Amy understands the inner workings of your advisors' world—and how to make it work for you.
Amy and her team coordinate the intersection of complex human dynamics and complex financial systems.
They support UHNW families through strategic coordination, professional accountability, and administrative clarity - ensuring their advisors, documents, and responsibilities work together cohesively.
What We Actually Do at Select Advisors Institute for UHNW families
For starters, here’s what we DON’T do: We don’t manage your money. We do not offer investment advice or legal guidance
Instead, we work behind the scenes to ensure your outside professionals - attorneys, CPAs, wealth managers, and others - are aligned, efficient, and working in your best interest.
Our role is to help you stay organized, informed, and in control—without adding complexity or assuming the roles of your existing advisors.
Here are examples of the types of work we do for clients:
Examples of Our Work:
Connect clients with attorneys and tax advisors who could answer nuanced questions about establishing dual residency and its implications for taxation, estate planning, and lifestyle logistics
Help families design and distribute custom RFPs (Requests for Proposals) when selecting new professionals - including wealth advisors, family office providers, and CPA firms—ensuring clarity in scope, deliverables, and fee structures
Organize and facilitate meetings between multiple outside firms to ensure everyone was operating from the same playbook
Support hiring decisions by analyzing proposals, comparing organizational charts, and gathering references -always deferring to client judgment and legal review
Create internal family process documents and dashboards to help track key deadlines, responsibilities, and follow-up items across multiple providers
Assist with logistics for philanthropic initiatives, family travel coordination, and sensitive administrative matters
Help high-net-worth clients prepare for major transitions (e.g., relocation, sale of a business, or a family liquidity event) by managing timelines and ensuring that all professionals had the information they needed—without replacing or duplicating their roles
Coordinating and facilitating family governance meetings - including agenda development, documentation, and follow-up—so families can discuss financial roles, shared assets, and generational transitions in a structured and productive setting
What You Gain with a Fractional Family Office
Clarity: Know what’s happening, when, and why
Control: Stay in charge without doing everything yourself
Protection: Avoid financial drift, redundancy, or manipulation
Privacy: Discreet, strategic support with no sales pitch
Freedom: Focus on your life—while someone else manages the logistics of your wealth
Ready to Explore What a Fractional Family Office Could Look Like?
If you’re managing more wealth than ever—and feeling more exposed, confused, or exhausted than ever—this isn’t about more complexity.
It’s about more coordination.
Important Disclosure: This guide is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. LegalZoom is an independent company providing estate planning document services through its platform.
Estate planning isn’t just for the end of life — it’s a living process that adapts as your circumstances evolve. From setting up a trust after divorce to updating plans in retirement, selling a business, or moving to a new state, this guide explains why estate planning matters at every stage. Learn how wills and trusts provide clarity, protect children, and bring peace of mind. Discover how to choose between working with estate planning attorneys, finding the best will writers near you, or using accessible online platforms like LegalZoom. Start planning today to ensure your family and legacy are always protected.