A Thoughtful Way to Start the New Year: Why Estate Planning Matters in 2026
The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection. Many people focus less on big resolutions and more on feeling prepared, grounded, and secure. One meaningful way to start the year is by creating or updating your estate plan.
Estate planning may not feel urgent day to day, but it plays a critical role in protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are honored when it matters most.
Estate Planning Is About Care, Not Just Documents
Estate planning is more than deciding who gets what. It’s about reducing stress and providing guidance to your loved ones during difficult moments. A solid estate plan often includes:
A Will or Revocable Living Trust to outline how assets should be distributed or to avoid unnecessary probate
Incapacity planning documents, such as powers of attorney and healthcare directives, so trusted people can make decisions if you cannot
These tools help prevent confusion, reduce conflict, and ensure your voice is heard.
Why Estate Planning Often Gets Delayed
Many people believe estate planning is something to handle “later.” Others assume it’s only necessary if you’re older or have significant assets. In reality, estate planning is especially important for anyone who has people in their lives that they care about. It is especially important for people who:
Have children or dependents
Are part of blended or nontraditional families
Are members of the LGBTQ+ community
Own a home in Washington state or elsewhere
Care for aging parents or loved ones
Without proper planning, Washington’s default laws may decide who can act on your behalf — and those laws may not reflect your values or relationships. Estate planning isn’t about expecting something bad to happen. It’s about being prepared and protecting the people you love.
Rooted in Mukilteo, Focused on You and Your Loved Ones
As a Mukilteo estate planning attorney, I see how deeply people care about protecting their families and their community. Estate planning is one way to make that care tangible.
At Sheets Law, PLLC, conveniently located in Old Town Mukilteo, we offer approachable, personalized estate planning services, including wills, revocable living trusts, and incapacity planning. Whether you are starting fresh or updating an existing plan, we guide you through the process step by step.
Starting the year with an estate plan in place offers something few resolutions do: lasting peace of mind.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re looking for an estate planning lawyer in Mukilteo, Snohomish County, or elsewhere in Washington state, now is a great time to begin. Contact Sheets Law, PLLC to schedule a consultation and take a thoughtful step into the year ahead.
