As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment for Springfield and Fairfax County families to confirm that legal documents match real life. At Madigan & Scott, we help Northern Virginia clients— including military families near Fort Belvoir—align wills, trusts, and powers of attorney with current goals so your wishes are clear and Virginia-compliant.

Why a Year-End Review Matters

Life moves fast. A December check-in helps you surface gaps, reduce future court delays, and ensure the people you trust can act quickly if needed. Aim to verify beneficiaries, fiduciary appointments (executors, trustees, and agents), and how key assets are titled.

Welcoming a Child (Birth or Adoption)

• Update your will to name primary and backup guardians.

• Add your child as a beneficiary in wills, trusts, life insurance, and retirement accounts.

• Consider a revocable living trust to manage assets for minors and avoid court-supervised guardianship of property.

• Keep adoption orders and vital records organized with your estate plan.

Buying a Home

• Add the new property to your estate plan and confirm how the deed is titled.

• Discuss whether a living trust should hold the home to streamline future transfers.

• Review homeowners and umbrella insurance limits; align mortgage protection with your plan.

Marriage or Divorce

• Refresh wills, advance medical directives, and financial/health care powers of attorney.

• Review (and, if needed, retitle) real estate, vehicles, and accounts.

• Update beneficiary designations; many assets transfer by contract, not by will.

• Consider a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement to clarify expectations.

Career & Financial Changes

• Promotions, new equity grants, business interests, or major investments warrant a review.

• Coordinate trusts with 401(k)/IRA and life insurance beneficiaries to prevent conflicts.

• If you started a business, establish succession instructions and a buy-sell framework.

Health Updates

• Revisit agents named in your advance medical directive and powers of attorney.

• Add backups and confirm they know where documents are stored.

• Consider special needs trusts where appropriate.

Relocation & Virginia-Specific Formalities

• Moving into or out of Virginia can affect validity and execution requirements.

• Ensure Virginia-compliant witnessing/notarization, and that out-of-state docs still work here.

• Keep certified copies and a digital backup; tell your fiduciaries how to access them.

Digital Assets & Passwords

• Inventory important accounts (financial, email, cloud storage, crypto).

• Provide fiduciary access instructions consistent with provider terms and Virginia law.

Annual Year-End Checklist

• Will, trust(s), and codicils/amendments

• Beneficiaries on life insurance, retirement, and payable-on-death accounts

• Deeds, titles, and business documents

• Powers of attorney (financial and health care) and advance medical directives

• Guardians for minor children and pet care provisions

• Personal property memorandum and digital asset instructions

How We Help

Madigan & Scott offers estate planning, wills, trusts (including living and special needs trusts), powers of attorney, advance medical directives, probate, and estate administration. We provide practical guidance tailored to Northern Virginia courts and local norms, with clear action steps and plain-English documents.

Ready to start your year-end review? Schedule a consultation in Springfield: (703) 775-1678 or www.madiganandscott.com.