Common Estate Planning Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
By Attorney John MacDonald, J MacDonald Law P.C. | Serving the Texas Hill Country
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your legacy. But even with the best intentions, many people make mistakes that can cause unnecessary stress, confusion, and even conflict for their loved ones later on. At John MacDonald Law P.C., we’ve seen firsthand how avoidable errors can create real challenges. Below are some of the most common estate planning mistakes—and how to avoid them.
1. Failing to Update Your Will
One of the biggest mistakes people make is creating a will and then forgetting about it. Life doesn’t stand still—marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the passing of a beneficiary are all major life events that should trigger a review of your estate plan. Failing to update your will can lead to unintended consequences, including assets being distributed in ways you never intended.
2. Overlooking Digital Assets
In today’s world, your estate isn’t just physical—it’s digital, too. From online bank accounts to social media profiles and cryptocurrency, digital assets often get overlooked. Without clear instructions, your family may have difficulty accessing or managing these accounts. A complete estate plan should include an inventory of your digital assets and guidance for how they should be handled.
3. Ignoring State Laws
Estate planning laws differ from state to state, and Texas has its own unique rules. If your plan doesn’t comply with Texas law—or if you own property in multiple states—you could be leaving your estate vulnerable to legal complications. That’s why it’s so important to work with a local attorney who understands Hill Country families and Texas law.
Did You Know?
More than 70% of Americans don’t regularly update their estate plans, leaving families exposed to avoidable risks.
Over 50% of people forget to include their digital assets in their planning, complicating the estate administration process.
Start Your Planning Today
At John MacDonald Law P.C., we make the estate planning process clear and approachable. Schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session with us—either in person here in the Hill Country or via Zoom from the comfort of your home. During this session, you’ll share your concerns, and we’ll walk you through your options, planning packages, and our unique flat fees.
If we decide we’re the right fit to work together, we’ll move forward with creating a plan that gives you peace of mind.
👉 Mention this blog and we’ll waive the $450 session fee!
📞 Call us at 830-626-3400 or book your Peace of Mind Planning Session online today.
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