Estate Planning for Military Families

Each year on November 11, the nation pauses to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who’ve served in the Armed Forces. Beyond the ceremonies and flags, Veterans Day offers military families a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a vital question: Is your family truly protected if something happens to you?

If you’ve served or are part of a military family, your planning needs go far beyond standard estate documents. From coordinating military benefits to preparing for deployment, your estate plan must work in ways most civilian plans never consider.

In this article, you’ll learn why military families need specialized estate planning, how to protect your military benefits, and what steps ensure your plan works during service, through retirement, and beyond.

Why Military Families Need a Different Kind of Estate Plan

Military families face unique challenges when it comes to protecting loved ones. You may have access to benefits like:

• Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

• Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

  
  

These safety nets require careful coordination. Without it, even well-intentioned plans can fail.

For example:

• If your SGLI beneficiary form lists someone from years ago, your benefits could go to the wrong person.

• If a minor child is listed as a beneficiary, a court will have to appoint someone to manage those funds—delaying access and creating unnecessary stress.

  
  

Frequent relocations add another layer of complexity. Estate planning laws differ by state, meaning a plan created in California might not work after a move to Virginia or overseas. Without regular reviews, your plan could become outdated or invalid.

Deployment presents its own risks. When you’re serving abroad, your family must have immediate authority to make financial and healthcare decisions. Standard powers of attorney often lack military-specific language, leaving your spouse unable to access key benefits or accounts in a crisis.

How to Protect and Maximize Your Military Benefits

Your military benefits represent an essential part of your family’s long-term security—but only if they’re properly managed.

1. Review All Beneficiary Designations

Your SGLI, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and retirement accounts each have beneficiary forms that override your will or trust. Outdated forms could result in benefits going to an ex-spouse instead of your current family.

2. Evaluate the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

If you’re retired, review the SBP alongside life insurance and assets to ensure balanced coverage and efficiency.

3. Organize Critical Documents

Keep your DD-214 and other service records easily accessible. Without them, your family could face delays accessing VA benefits or burial honors.During your Legacy Planning Session, we’ll help you organize these records and create a secure system for your loved ones to access them when needed.

4. Document Burial Preferences

Veterans are entitled to burial in national cemeteries, headstones or markers, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates at no cost. Include your preferences—such as location, honors, and notifications—clearly in your plan.

Building a Plan That Works in Every Stage of Service

Military life changes constantly, so your estate plan must work during active duty, deployment, retirement, and beyond.

Key Components Include:

• Durable Power of AttorneyCustom-drafted to allow your trusted agent to manage finances and communicate with DFAS, VA, and Tricare without delays.

• Healthcare DirectivesEnsure your chosen advocate can coordinate with both military and civilian medical providers so your wishes are honored.

• Personal Property InstructionsDocument the stories behind uniforms, medals, and memorabilia to preserve your service legacy for future generations.

  
  

Most importantly, work with an advisor who understands your military life and will keep your plan updated through deployments and relocations.

Proper planning isn’t just paperwork—it’s a promise to your family.

Honoring Your Sacrifice and Your Family’s

You deserve a plan that protects your loved ones and preserves your service legacy. During your Legacy Planning Session, we’ll ensure your family knows:

• Where to find important documents

• How to access accounts and benefits

• Whom to contact first for help

• What steps to take with confidence

  
  

When the time comes, your loved ones won’t face the VA or legal system alone—they’ll have a trusted plan built around your values, service, and dedication.

This Veterans Day, honor your service by protecting your family’s future.

Book a free 15-minute discovery call to explore how a Legacy Planning Session protects your whole family.