As we move through life, priorities shift—and after 60, those shifts often bring clarity. You may be thinking more about retirement, your legacy, and how to ensure your family is taken care of if the unexpected happens. Estate planning is the most powerful way to protect your loved ones, minimize stress, and maintain control over your future.
At Coker, Robb & Cannon, we help families across Denton, Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant counties prepare with confidence. Here’s what you need to know about estate planning after 60.
1. It’s Not Too Late to Start—or Update—Your Plan
If you’ve never created an estate plan, now is the time. If you already have a plan, turning 60 is the perfect moment to review it. Laws change. Family dynamics change. Your financial picture changes. Your estate plan should reflect your current wishes, not what you wanted 10 or 20 years ago.
We recommend reviewing your plan at least every 3–5 years—or sooner if you’ve experienced a major life event, such as:
- Retirement or a career change
- Marriage, divorce, or remarriage
- The birth of grandchildren
- The death of a spouse or beneficiary
- A move to a new state
An outdated plan can create confusion or unintended outcomes. A current plan creates clarity.
2. Key Documents to Have in Place
A complete estate plan after 60 should include more than just a will. Our estate planning attorneys will help you create or update:
- Last Will and Testament: Outlines who inherits your property and who will manage your estate.
- Durable Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone you trust to manage finances if you become incapacitated.
- Medical Power of Attorney & Advance Directive (Living Will): Lets you name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf and express your wishes for end-of-life care.
- HIPAA Authorization: Grants access to your medical information to designated individuals.
- Revocable Living Trust (if appropriate): Helps avoid probate, protects privacy, and allows for flexible, controlled asset distribution.
3. Protecting Your Spouse, Children & Grandchildren
After 60, many people are thinking not just about what they leave behind—but also how they leave it. Whether you’re in a blended family, have adult children, or care for grandchildren, a customized estate plan helps prevent future conflict and confusion.
We can help you:
- Provide for your spouse while protecting assets for children from a prior marriage
- Ensure adult children receive inheritances responsibly
- Name guardians for minor or dependent grandchildren
- Leave assets to loved ones with disabilities in a way that protects government benefits
- Establish trusts to control how and when assets are distributed
4. Planning for Long-Term Care & Aging
Health care costs are one of the biggest concerns for people entering their 60s. A well-crafted estate plan can include strategies to prepare for:
- Long-term care (in-home, assisted living, or nursing facilities)
- Medicaid eligibility and asset protection
- Managing your affairs if you become unable to do so yourself
Incapacity planning is often more important than death planning at this stage of life. The right documents allow someone you trust to step in seamlessly — without court involvement.
5. Avoiding Probate & Reducing Family Burden
No one wants to leave their family overwhelmed by paperwork and legal hurdles. Estate planning can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for probate, saving time, money, and stress. Through living trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper titling of assets, we help clients ensure a smooth transfer of wealth and property. Your family should be focused on honoring your legacy, not navigating paperwork.
Let’s Plan for Peace of Mind
Estate planning isn’t about what you own—it’s about who you love. Planning can protect your independence, preserve your dignity, shield your family from unnecessary hardship, and ensure your wishes are followed. At Coker, Robb & Cannon, we treat every client like family. Whether you’re updating an existing plan or starting fresh, our experienced estate planning attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way.
Serving Denton, Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant Counties, we offer in-person and virtual appointments to fit your schedule.
📞 Schedule a Consultation Today
Let’s protect what matters most—your future, your family, and your peace of mind.