50 & Winging It? Here’s Why You Need an Estate Plan Right Now

Turning 50 is a major milestone. You’re wise. You’ve got some stories. You’ve made some money (and maybe lost some too). You probably own things — a home, a retirement account, maybe a dog who’s more emotionally stable than your adult kids.

But if you’re over 50 and don’t have a basic estate plan, you’re not just winging it — you’re risking chaos for the people you love most.

Whether you’re single, married, widowed, or on marriage round two, here’s why now is the moment to put your estate planning in writing.

1. If You're Single

No spouse. No backup. So guess what? You are the plan.
If something happens to you — a stroke, car accident, or long illness — who handles your medical decisions? Who pays your bills?

Without a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive, it could be:

• A court-appointed stranger
• The family member with the loudest opinion
• No one — and your bills, health, and legacy all hang in limbo

✅ What you need:

• Will
• Power of Attorney
• Health Care Proxy
• Living Will

2. If You're Married (Especially With Kids or Assets)

You think your spouse “just gets everything”? Not necessarily.
If you die without a will in New Jersey, the state decides who gets what — and it may not go the way you think.

Estate planning:

• Avoids probate fights
• Clarifies what your spouse and kids are entitled to
• Protects your family home, retirement accounts, and legacy

✅ Bonus: You can name guardians for minor children, and set up trusts to avoid handing 18-year-olds a lump sum they’ll blow on sneakers and crypto.

3. If You're Widowed

You’ve already lost your partner. You know how hard it is. Don’t leave your kids or loved ones in that same mess.
Now it’s on you to outline:

• Who inherits
• Who’s in charge
• What medical decisions you want if you can’t speak

✅ Don’t forget to update beneficiaries on old accounts and life insurance. We see it all the time: money going to an ex, a sibling, or someone who’s no longer in your life.

4. If You're in a Second Marriage

We’ll say this with love: second marriages are where estate planning gets spicy.
Kids from a first marriage. Joint assets. Separate bank accounts.

If you want:

• Your current spouse cared for, and
• Your kids from your first marriage to inherit something too

…you need a custom plan. Otherwise, someone’s getting left out. And trust us, Thanksgiving will never be the same.

✅ Consider:

• Separate trusts
• Prenup/postnup integration
• Stepchild considerations

Bottom Line: Planning at 50 is a Power Move

You’re not being morbid. You’re being smart.
Estate planning isn’t about dying — it’s about living well, on your terms, with the confidence that the people you love won’t be stuck untangling your affairs in a time of grief.

Ready to get started?
Let’s draft the plan that fits your life, your relationships, and your values.
📞 Call us today or visit www.njelc.com to book your consultation.

Because 50 isn’t too late. It’s the perfect time.

‍