Each year on November 11, we pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in the Armed Forces. Beyond the flags and ceremonies, Veterans Day is also a time for reflection – a moment to ask an important question: Is your family protected if something happens to you?
If you’ve served or are part of a military family, your estate planning needs are unique. From managing military benefits to preparing for deployment, your plan must address situations that most civilian families never face.
In this article, I’ll explain why military families need specialized estate planning, how to protect your benefits, and what steps ensure your plan works through service, retirement, and beyond.
Why Military Families Need Specialized Estate Planning
Military life comes with challenges that require careful planning. You may have benefits like Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), or the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). These are valuable protections, but they must be properly coordinated in your estate plan.
Without the right coordination, even small mistakes can cause major problems. For example:
- If your SGLI beneficiary form lists someone you named years ago, the benefit could go to the wrong person.
- If you name a minor child as your SGLI beneficiary, the court will appoint someone to manage those funds – delaying access and adding unnecessary costs.
- Once your child turns 18, they’ll receive all the funds outright, with no restrictions or protection for their future.
Frequent moves add another layer of complexity. Estate laws vary by state, so a plan created when you were stationed in California might not work the same if you later move to Virginia or overseas. If you don’t update your plan regularly, it could become outdated – or even invalid.
And if you’re deployed, your loved ones must have the legal authority to act immediately. Standard powers of attorney often lack the specific language needed for military systems, which can prevent your spouse or designated agent from accessing benefits or accounts when they’re needed most.
Protecting and Maximizing Your Military Benefits
The benefits you’ve earned through service are essential for your family’s long-term security – but only if they’re properly integrated into your estate plan.
Start by reviewing and updating your beneficiary designations. Your SGLI, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and retirement accounts each have beneficiary forms that override your will or trust. If those forms aren’t current, your benefits could unintentionally go to an ex-spouse or someone else you didn’t intend.
If you’re retired, take a closer look at your Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This plan can provide ongoing income to your spouse or dependents after your death. However, it should be reviewed in coordination with your life insurance and other assets to make sure it fits your family’s overall financial picture.
Keep your DD-214 and other service records in a safe, organized place. Without them, your family could face delays in accessing VA benefits, burial honors, or other entitlements. In my Life & Legacy Planning® process, we help clients organize these critical documents and create an inventory that ensures loved ones know exactly where to find everything.
Finally, make your burial preferences known. Veterans are entitled to burial in national cemeteries, headstones or markers, burial flags, and Presidential Memorial Certificates at no cost – but your family needs clear instructions. Your plan should specify your wishes, including whether you want military honors and which cemetery you prefer.
When these details are handled in advance, your family can access benefits smoothly and confidently when it matters most.
Building a Plan That Works During Every Stage of Service
Military life changes constantly, and your plan should be flexible enough to change with it. Your estate plan should work not only after you pass away but also during deployments, active service, and retirement.
Here are key elements every military family should include:
- Durable Power of Attorney: This allows your spouse or trusted agent to manage finances, legal matters, and communicate with agencies like the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), the VA, and Tricare. Standard forms often don’t cover everything you need. As your attorney, I create customized powers of attorney that reflect your specific service and family needs.
- Healthcare Directives: Your healthcare proxy should work in both civilian and military hospitals. It should give your chosen representative the authority to communicate with military medical staff and ensure your wishes are honored if you’re injured or incapacitated.
- Personal Property and Memorabilia: Uniforms, medals, and service items carry deep sentimental value. Documenting who should receive these items and the stories behind them ensures your service legacy is honored and remembered.
More importantly, estate planning for military families is not a one-time event. You deserve a trusted advisor who understands your lifestyle and stays connected with you through relocations, deployments, and retirement.
Honoring Your Service — and Your Family’s Future
Your service represents courage, sacrifice, and commitment. Your estate plan should reflect that same dedication to your family’s future.
Through Life & Legacy Planning®, I help military families create a plan that provides clarity, organization, and lasting peace of mind. When we work together, your loved ones will know:
- Where to find your important documents
- How to access military and financial benefits
- Who to contact for help
- What steps to take without confusion or delay
And when the time comes, your family won’t face the VA or the legal system alone—they’ll have someone who already knows them and their story.
Your plan will honor not just your financial wishes, but also your values, experiences, and traditions – so your service and love continue to guide your family for generations.
This Veterans Day, take the next step to honor your own service by protecting those who matter most.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.