Don't wait for retirement to launch your estate plan.

People often put off estate planning, until they get older.  However, life events should trigger proper estate planning much sooner. This includes things like getting married or having children. Nevertheless, some people put estate planning off until they reach the age of retirement, according to the Times Herald-Record in "When to start an estate plan."

Once someone reaches the age of 18, they need to start estate planning. Everyone at this point needs to at least have power of attorney and advance health care directives drawn up, so someone can assist them, if they have an accident and are incapacitated. Once a person reaches the typical age of legal adulthood, their parents can no longer assist them, without first going to court. Most 18-year old individuals can probably get away without also creating a will.  However, there is little reason not to get a simple one while at the estate planning attorney's office getting a power of attorney and advance health care directive prepared.

Once you have some people and property to protect, it is a good idea to decide how to protect the people and distribute the property, after you pass away.

An estate planning attorney can advise you in creating an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances and the sooner the better.

Reference: Times Herald-Record (June 23, 2018) "When to start an estate plan."