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Dear Friend,
When people hear “estate plan,” they often think of a Will… and stop right there.
But that’s like locking your front door and leaving the windows wide open.
A Will alone isn’t enough.
If you want to truly protect your family, your legacy, and your future, you need a complete estate plan.
That means having all seven of the core legal documents in place.
At Bascom Law, we review estate plans every day—and we’re constantly amazed at how many are missing something critical.
Here’s what every estate plan should include… and the one document most people never realize they’ve forgotten.
- Last Will and Testament
Let’s start with the obvious one.
A Will names who gets what when you die. It also allows you to:
- Appoint guardians for minor children
- Name an executor to handle your estate
- Avoid family confusion and in-fighting
Without a Will, the State decides who gets your property—not you.
And trust us, their plan rarely reflects your wishes.
- Revocable Living Trust
If you own property, have significant assets, or want to avoid probate, a Revocable Living Trust is essential.
It lets you:
- Transfer property privately and quickly
- Maintain control while you’re alive and well
- Plan for what happens if you become incapacitated
A Trust can also protect your heirs from creditors, divorce, and bad decisions—something a basic Will doesn’t do.
- Durable Power of Attorney
What if you’re alive, but mentally or physically unable to handle your finances?
A Durable Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the legal ability to:
- Pay your bills
- Deal with your utility companies
- Handle taxes, investments, real estate, and more
Without it, your loved ones may need to go to court just to act on your behalf.
- Advanced Directive for Health Care
This document (sometimes called a “Living Will”) tells doctors what kind of medical care you want if you can’t speak for yourself.
Do you want life support? Feeding tubes? Pain relief at all costs?
Your wishes deserve to be heard.
This document makes sure they are.
- HIPAA Authorization and Release
Most people miss this one. But it’s critical.
Your family may need to talk to your doctors, review test results, or get updates on your condition.
But without a HIPAA Authorization and Release, they can be denied access—even your spouse or adult children.
It’s one simple form that opens critical doors in a crisis.
- Beneficiary Designations
Not every asset passes through your Will or Trust.
Things like:
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Bank accounts with “payable on death” instructions
These pass directly to the person named on the account—which is why it’s vital to keep these updated and aligned with your overall plan.
We’ve seen too many families heartbroken after discovering an ex-spouse was still named the beneficiary.
- Final Disposition Instructions
It’s not fun to think about.
But your funeral, burial, or cremation wishes matter.
Putting your desires in writing:
- Prevents family conflict
- Saves your loved ones from having to make hard decisions in a moment of grief
- Ensures your wishes are honored
Why Most People Miss One (or More) of These
They assume their lawyer “handled everything.”
They used an online form that didn’t cover all scenarios.
They didn’t realize how fast laws—and life—change.
And they leave their family scrambling, guessing, and suffering because of it.
Don’t do that to your loved ones.
A Thoughtful Plan. Done Right.
At Bascom Law, we don’t just draft documents.
We help you build a thoughtful plan—one that’s clear, complete, and customized to your life.
We’ll guide you through every decision.
We’ll explain every form.
And we’ll make sure nothing important is left out.
Because an estate plan isn’t for you—it’s for the people you love.
Call Bascom Law today to schedule your consultation.
We’ll help you get every document in place—so your plan actually works when your family needs it most.
Sincerely and Thanks,
Mike Bascom
Bascom Law, PC
770-285-5493
