{"id":353859,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/military\/family-employment-housing\/estate-planning-and-the-military-what-you-need-to-know.html"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:05:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:05:58","slug":"estate-planning-and-the-military-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/family-employment-housing\/estate-planning-and-the-military-what-you-need-to-know.html","title":{"rendered":"Estate Planning and the Military: What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Estate Planning and the Military: What You Need To Know<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Military estate planning<\/span> is the process by which service members<\/span> organize their legal and financial affairs to protect their families in the event of injury or death. Military lawyers, particularly those involved in preparing service members<\/span> for mobilization or deployment, have limited time and resources. This makes it difficult to prepare more complex estate plans<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Being responsible for your family includes planning for your\u00a0loved ones<\/span>‘ care and securing your family’s future<\/span> if something were to happen to you. This includes scenarios such as a debilitating injury or death.<\/p>\n

This is an even greater concern for those in the military, especially those on active duty<\/span>. They face the ever-looming prospect of overseas deployments, combat, or even risky training environments that can include jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. The military profession is rife with hazards to life and limb. This makes it all the more important for service members<\/span> to have a comprehensive <\/span>estate plan<\/span> in place to protect their families and ensure long-term financial security<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you have questions about your estate plan<\/span>, consider speaking with a\u00a0military attorney<\/a>\u00a0or civilian estate planning<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/a> near you. They can review your documents, explain your options, and help make sure your family\u2019s future<\/span> is protected.<\/p>\n

What Does the Military Offer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The military provides a\u00a0variety of\u00a0estate planning<\/span>\u00a0services<\/a>, including\u00a0legal advice<\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0preparation of\u00a0legal documents<\/span>. Typically, you can expect a military lawyer to provide support with:<\/p>\n