Cross 3 Things Off Your Financial To-Do List
The beginning of a new year is a great time to revisit priorities and get things done. There are a few financial items that have a tendency to stick on our to-do lists. This is the year to get them done, and Sequoia is here to help. Let’s take a look.
#1 – Update or Make a Will
A will is the most basic of estate planning documents, and data says that around 70% of Americans don’t have one. This means that when you and/or your spouse pass away, state law will determine what happens to your assets. The job of managing your estate becomes more difficult for those left behind (Pew Research Center, 6 Nov. 2025).
A basic estate plan includes more than just a will, it includes:
Last Will and Testament (for both spouses if married)
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney / Health Care Proxy
Living Will / Advance Health Care Directive
Up to date beneficiary designations
These documents will make a difficult time easier for your loved ones and help make the most of your assets when you are gone.
#2 – Update Your Financial Plan
Sequoia clients have a financial plan at the center of our relationship. A plan analyzes various scenarios, helps make informed decisions, and ensures you stay on track to meet your goals. When retirement is still years away, a plan helps determine things like how much you should contribute to your retirement accounts to get where you want to go.
As retirement nears, there are many questions a plan can answer: should I contribute more to retirement if I need catch-up? Is now the time to become more conservative? Where will my income come from?
Once you’ve retired, there will be trips you want to take, larger purchases, gifts to make to family and charity – and a plan helps find the best ways to make them happen.
At your next review, let’s make sure your plan is up to date and reflects the reality of your current financial life. The better the information in the plan, the better the information coming out.
#3 – Update Your 401(k)
Time has a way of getting away from all of us. Your 401(k) may be the biggest tool in your retirement bag, and Sequoia wants it to work hard for you. There are many things to check on, including:
Investment selection – make sure you’ve got the best investments available in your plan
Allocation – investing the right amount in the right places is key
Contribution amount – are you investing as much as you should be to hit your goals?
Beneficiary update – make sure your beneficiaries match your estate plan
Getting organized and staying organized are important parts of a healthy financial life. Sequoia is here to keep you on track, and we have the knowledge and the tools to make this easy. Get 2026 started off right, and let us know how we can help.
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss