Is It Time for an Annual Estate Planning Retreat?
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to focus on long-term goals can feel nearly impossible. At Skvarna Law, we often see how easy it is to get caught up in day-to-day responsibilities while important priorities, like estate planning, get pushed aside.
One way to stay on track is to take a step back each year and intentionally plan. An annual planning retreat gives you time to reflect, refocus, and make meaningful decisions that shape your life, including decisions about your estate plans.
What Is an Estate Planning Retreat?
A planning retreat removes you from daily distractions so you can think clearly about your goals. Like a wellness retreat, it encourages stepping away from routine stress. Instead of focusing solely on relaxation, though, a planning retreat centers on future planning—career goals, financial management, relationship milestones, and long-term priorities like trusts and wills.
During your retreat, you create a strategic action plan, prioritize important decisions, and position yourself to take control of your future. We’ve seen firsthand how clients who build planning retreats into their yearly routines move forward with greater confidence—not just with estate planning, but across all areas of life.
How to Structure an Estate Planning Retreat
No two retreats need to look the same. You can plan for a few uninterrupted hours or an entire weekend away. The key is to create intentional space to reflect, plan, and act.
We recommend three main phases:
- Reflect on the Past Year
- Start by asking yourself:
- What worked well?
- Where did I fall short?
- What goals remained unfinished?
- What lessons should guide me this year?
Reflection helps you see patterns and identify priorities. It also highlights any life changes—such as marriage, birth, divorce, or death—that might require updates to your estate plans.
Set Clear Estate Planning Goals for the Year Ahead
- Once you review the past, shift your focus to the future:
- What must be accomplished this year?
- What steps will improve my personal or financial life?
- How should I adjust my estate planning to reflect recent changes?
- Whether you want to create a new trust, update guardianship choices, or address long-term care (LTC) considerations, putting those actions on your agenda prevents them from slipping through the cracks.
Build a Realistic Action Plan At Your Annual Estate Planning Retreat
A goal without a plan stays a wish. Break larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. For example, instead of simply aiming to “update my will,” schedule specific tasks:
- Gather personal and financial documents
- Schedule a meeting with an estate planning attorney in Glendora or Upland
- Review beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts
- Taking it one action at a time builds momentum—and builds peace of mind.
Creating the Right Environment
Choosing a setting for your retreat matters. We encourage clients to find a space that feels inspiring yet free of daily interruptions. A quiet hotel stay, a peaceful Airbnb, or even a reserved block of time at home (with phones off) can set the right tone.
Adding time for reflection activities like journaling, nature walks, or meditation can help clarify your thoughts. Your retreat shouldn’t feel like another task list—it should feel like a gift to yourself and your future.
Tying Estate Planning into Your Retreat
Life doesn’t stand still, and neither should your estate plans. An annual planning retreat offers the perfect opportunity to review your legal and financial arrangements. Important questions to ask include:
- Have I experienced major life changes that affect my trusts, wills, or estates?
- Do I still feel confident in my healthcare directives and powers of attorney?
- Have I accounted for all my assets, including new investments or properties?
- Have any family circumstances changed that require updating my beneficiaries?
- Am I prepared for long-term care costs and future healthcare needs?
Adding estate planning to your retreat agenda ensures that you protect your loved ones and your legacy.
Why Procrastination Hurts Estate Planning
In our work with families throughout Glendora and Upland, we often hear the same reason for delaying estate planning: “I just haven’t gotten around to it.”
It’s understandable. Thinking about death, incapacity, and the future can feel overwhelming. But acting—especially during a retreat dedicated to future planning—helps remove fear and replaces it with empowerment.
Surveys show that while many people intend to create an estate plan, few follow through without clear deadlines and professional guidance. If you find yourself stuck, adding “schedule an estate planning consultation” to your retreat action plan can be the first step toward real progress.
Make It a Habit
A planning retreat shouldn’t be a one-time event. Building it into your annual routine keeps your goals current, your estate plans accurate, and your long-term vision clear.
We recommend picking a regular time each year—spring often symbolizes renewal, but any season can work—and committing to a personal or family retreat focused on reflection, planning, and decisive action.
If life changes between retreats, we also encourage mid-year check-ins to update critical documents like trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Staying proactive today saves your family time, stress, and uncertainty tomorrow.
When You’re Ready, We’re Here
At Skvarna Law, we help individuals and families throughout Glendora, Upland, and the surrounding communities create personalized, effective estate plans. Whether you’re just starting the process, revisiting your existing documents, or navigating the complexities of elder law, we are here to provide experienced guidance.
If your planning retreat reveals that it’s time to move forward with your estate documents, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can turn your goals into a secure future for you and the people you love.
About Skvarna Law Firm in Glendora and Upland, California
Skvarna Law Firm operates offices in Glendora and Upland, California. We provide legal services. We cover San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. This includes several cities. Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Pomona, La Verne, Montclair, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.
