Grown-Up Moves: 5 Legal Things to Handle Before You Turn 40

Let’s be honest—turning 40 isn’t what it used to be.

You might still feel young(ish), still be raising kids, building a career, or taking care of aging parents. But here’s the deal: life is happening fast, and if you haven’t handled some basic legal planning by now… it’s time.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about being the kind of adult who doesn’t leave their family in a mess if something goes sideways.

So, here it is. The grown-up legal checklist you didn’t know you needed.

1️⃣ Make (or Update) Your Estate Plan

Yes, even if you’re not “rich.” Even if you “just own a house and have kids.”

An estate plan isn’t about money. It’s about control. Who handles things if you can’t? Who raises your kids? Who inherits what—and when?

At the very least, you need:
🟠 A Will (to name guardians and direct your assets)
🟠 A Durable Power of Attorney (for finances if you’re incapacitated)
🟠 A Medical Power of Attorney / Patient Advocate Designation (for healthcare decisions)
🟠 Possibly a Trust (to avoid probate, manage assets for minor kids, or plan for blended families)

If you already made one 10 years ago and had two kids since then? Update it.

2️⃣ Name Beneficiaries (And Actually Check Them)

Here’s one people forget all the time: your beneficiary designations override your will.

🟠 Life insurance
🟠 Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension)
🟠 Some bank and investment accounts

These pass directly to the person you listed—no matter what your will says.

And if you haven’t checked those designations since your last job, last relationship, or last kid? Yeah. It’s time.

3️⃣ Protect Your Digital Life

You’ve got more than just a physical estate. You’ve got a digital one.

What happens to your:
🟠 Online banking and bill pay
🟠 Email accounts
🟠 Social media profiles
🟠 Cloud-stored files and family photos

Leave someone access—and instructions.

Whether it’s a digital estate plan, a password manager with emergency access, or an old-school list in a fireproof box, someone needs to know how to step in if you’re not here.

4️⃣ Talk About Guardianship (Even If You Don’t Want To)

If you’ve got minor kids and no plan in place, here’s the harsh truth:

If something happens to you, the court—not you—decides who raises them.

Naming a guardian in your will isn’t morbid. It’s love. It’s clarity. It prevents family fighting and gives your kids a smoother transition in the worst-case scenario.

And no, naming someone “verbally” doesn’t count. It needs to be in writing.

5️⃣ Get Your Sh*t Together (Literally)

You don’t need a color-coded binder (unless that’s your thing). But someone should know:

🟠 Where your will is
🟠 Who your lawyer/financial advisor is
🟠 How to access key accounts and passwords
🟠 What bills are on autopay
🟠 What policies and accounts you have

If something happens to you, your family shouldn’t be digging through junk drawers and old shoeboxes trying to find your life insurance policy.

Make a “just in case” folder. Label it. Tell someone where it is. Bonus points for not leaving it in a pile next to expired coupons and your kid’s old homework.

Bonus: Talk to Your Parents, Too

If you’re in your late 30s, your parents are probably in their 60s or 70s. Ask them:
🟠 Do you have a will or trust?
🟠 Who’s your power of attorney?
🟠 Where is it all kept?

You don’t need every detail. But if you’re the one who will be dealing with it eventually, it’s better to talk now—before something happens.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to have it all figured out. But you do need a plan.

Grown-up life is busy, messy, and unpredictable. But handling these 5 things now means less stress, less confusion, and less chaos for the people you love.

Don’t wait until something happens to realize how unprepared you are.

Ready to Start?

At Newburg Law, we make estate planning simple, straightforward, and actually tailored to your life.

🟠 No pressure.
🟠 No jargon.
🟠 Just solid planning, built for real families.

📲 Contact us today to get started. Your future self—and your family—will thank you.

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