FAN LAW OFFICE

Buying your first home is one of the most significant financial decisions of your life. It's also one of the most significant estate planning triggers — and most first-time buyers don't realize it until much later. The moment you sign the closing documents, you own a substantial asset. Without an estate plan, the question of what happens to that asset if something happens to you is answered entirely by state law — not by you. Here are three steps to take right away: Step 1:

Think about the people in your life who depend on you — not just financially, but emotionally, practically, and in ways that would be hard to quantify. A partner who relies on your income. A parent you've been helping. A younger sibling you look out for. A best friend who is your emergency contact. Now ask yourself: if something happened to you tomorrow, would those people be protected by your current plan? For most young adults, the answer is no — not because they don't care

The honest answer is yes — and the reason might surprise you. Most young adults assume estate planning is for older people with large houses, investment portfolios, and grown children. But estate planning isn't about what you own. It's about what happens to you and the people you care about when something unexpected occurs. Consider this: a serious car accident, a sudden medical emergency, an unexpected diagnosis. None of these care how old you are. And without the right docu