Dear Friend,

Estate planning isn’t something you can “set and forget.”

Because life changes. Families change. Laws change.
And if your estate plan doesn’t keep up, the people you love could pay the price.

At Bascom Law, we’ve seen it all—families forced into court, assets tied up in red tape, and loved ones left scrambling… all because of preventable mistakes.

Before you assume you’re covered, take a look at the five most common estate planning mistakes we see—and what you can do to avoid them.

  • Mistake #1: Outdated Documents

Your Will from 15 years ago might’ve made perfect sense when the kids were toddlers, the house was new, and life was simpler.

But now?

  • Your children are adults
  • You may have gone through a divorce or remarriage
  • You’ve bought or sold property
  • Your wishes may have changed

An outdated Will, Trust, or Power of Attorney can create more confusion than protection.

In some cases, your plan could direct assets to people you no longer speak to—or leave out someone you love.

  • What to do instead: Review your estate plan every 3–5 years, or any time there’s a major life change.
  • Mistake #2: Failing to Name or Update Beneficiaries

Here’s a painful scenario we see too often:

Someone dies with a perfectly written Will…
But their old life insurance policy still names an ex-spouse as the beneficiary.

Guess who gets the money?

Not the kids. Not the new spouse. Not the people they intended.

That’s because beneficiary designations override your Will.

  • What to do instead: Regularly check the beneficiaries on your life insurance, retirement accounts, and bank accounts. Make sure they match your current wishes and estate plan.
  • Mistake #3: No Plan for Incapacity

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone.
It’s also about what happens if you’re still alive—but unable to make decisions.

Who will:

  • Pay your bills?
  • Access your accounts?
  • Make medical decisions?
  • Speak for you when you can’t?

Without a Durable Power of Attorney, Advanced Directive for Health Care, and HIPAA Authorization and Release, your loved ones may be forced to go to court just to help you.

  • What to do instead: Include incapacity planning in your estate plan from day one—and make sure your documents are valid, current, and reflect your wishes.
  • Mistake #4: Relying on a DIY or One-Size-Fits-All Plan

We’ve reviewed plenty of estate plans pulled from online templates.

They look official…
Until they don’t work.

Maybe the Will wasn’t signed properly.
Maybe the Trust was never funded.
Maybe key documents are missing or contradict each other.

When your plan falls apart, it’s your family who pays—with delays, stress, legal bills, and heartache.

  • What to do instead: Work with a qualified attorney at Bascom Law who can help you build a plan that actually holds up when it’s needed most.
  • Mistake #5: Thinking a Will Is Enough

A Will is important.
But it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

Without a complete estate plan, your assets can still:

  • Go through probate (a slow, public court process)
  • End up in the wrong hands
  • Create family conflict

Your plan needs to be built with strategy—and with tools like Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and beneficiary designations all working together.

  • What to do instead: Think of your estate plan like a team. Every document has a role to play—and if one is missing, the whole plan can break down.

The Bottom Line

Estate planning isn’t just a legal formality.
It’s one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind: clarity, protection, peace.

At Bascom Law, we help you avoid these mistakes—not by chance, but by design.
We walk you through the process. We ask the hard questions.
And we make sure your plan is solid, complete, and built to stand the test of time.

Don’t let simple mistakes create lasting damage.
Call Bascom Law today at 770-285-5493 and schedule your consultation.
Let’s make sure your plan works—when your family needs it most.

Sincerely and Thanks,

Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC

770-285-5493