Estate Planning 101 for Parents of School-Age Kids and Teens

Estate Planning for Parents of Children Ages 4–17

by Whitney Knox Lee, Esq.

September 4, 2025

If your kids (or grandkids) are in elementary, middle, or high school, you know life can feel like a constant juggling act. Between school forms, extracurriculars, summer camps, doctor visits, and ever-changing schedules, it’s easy to let estate planning take a backseat. But the “busy years” are actually one of the most important times to make sure your plan still reflects your family’s needs.

Here are some key considerations for parents during this stage:

1. Guardians and Key Roles

• Kids grow, circumstances change, and people move or experience life events. It’s worth revisiting your appointed guardians and other key roles to ensure they are still the best choice.
• Consider: Are they still financially stable? Able to care for your child if needed? Do their values still align with your parenting goals?

2. Medical Considerations

• As children age, medical needs can become apparent or grow more complex. If your child has a new medical diagnosis, a learning disability, or needs ongoing treatment, your estate plan may need to be updated to account for this reality. For some, this will mean looking into Special Needs Trusts or other estate planning tools to make sure your child can still benefit from your estate without becoming ineligible for the vital government-provided services that they need.
• Make sure caregivers, including step-parents or extended family, understand your child’s needs and have access to the right documents if an emergency arises.

3. Parenting Plans & Family Dynamics

• Life isn’t static. Divorces, remarriages, or blended family situations may change who’s responsible for your child at different times. And these changes may bring new children into your family whom you are now a co-parent or caregiver of.
• Update your estate plan to reflect custody arrangements, parenting plans, and ensure any new step-parents, step-children, or guardians are included where appropriate. Note that step-children often are not considered an heir unless they are adopted!

4. Beneficiary Designations

• Review retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts. Make sure your child’s current stage in life is considered, and that your designations align with your overall plan.
• Remember that beneficiary designations often override your Will, so double-check them regularly.

5. Relocation & Moving to Another State

• If your family moves to a new state, your existing estate plan may no longer be fully compliant. Update your Will, powers of attorney, and trusts as needed to reflect local laws.

6. Planning for Summer Camps, Travel, and Extra Activities

• Kids in this age range often have summer camps, school trips, and extracurricular travel. Make sure authorized caregivers are documented and can make emergency medical decisions. FYI, this might involve signing a Power of Attorney for the Care of a Minor Child.

Even in the busiest years of parenting, taking the time to review and update your estate plan is crucial. Life changes fast, and so do your children’s needs. By checking guardians, parenting plans, beneficiary designations, and medical authorizations, you ensure that your family is protected — no matter what life throws at you.

This month, our Back-to-School Blog Series focuses on estate planning considerations for families with children — grouped by the age of the kids your life revolves around. Find more details and suggestions on our blog throughout September.

Not a parent? Forward this blog to a parent or guardian you know!