The new year is a good time to set goals, including losing weight, getting back in shape and getting one's affairs in order.

It's never too early to write or update a will and look into getting a life insurance policy to take care of loved ones after you pass.

Maryann Bozich-DiLuigi, a Zelienople-based attorney, said she sees an influx of clients in January and February to write or update their wills and plan their estates.

People also tend to come in after a significant change in family circumstances, like the birth of a child or grandchild or the death or a family member, she said.

“You shouldn't necessarily wait until later,” she said.

When you come in for the consultation, Bozich-DiLuigi tells people to bring their thoughts and their goals, such as who they want to leave their estate to and who they trust to administer their affairs.

The client should have the full name, address and telephone number for anyone they want to name in the document. They'll note who the person defines as their family, and if stepchildren and “children of the heart” are included, she said.

They'll also discuss what to do with personal property, real estate and other items.

Bozich-DiLuigi said people should also look into whether their assets will pass on through right of survivorship or a beneficiary designation. Jointly held bank accounts, life insurance policies, 401ks and IRAs may move automatically to someone and not be controlled by the will.

While holographic or handwritten wills are legal in Pennsylvania, Bozich-DiLuigi recommends speaking to an attorney to ensure everything is handled properly.

The initial consultation may last 60 to 90 minutes to ensure all topics are covered thoroughly, she said.

If you have questions, Bozich-DiLuigi said to set up a meeting with an attorney and ask. To find a lawyer in your area, the Butler County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can be reached by calling 724-841-0130.

While planning a will, people may also want to think about other lifetime planning documents like a durable power of attorney and a living will. A durable power of attorney is a broad document that contains health care provisions, Bozich-DiLuigi said.

A living will is a specific end of life decision-making document. In Pennsylvania, a living will comes into play when a person is terminally ill or permanently unconscious with no reasonable hope for recovery, Bozich-DiLuigi said.

It indicates who can speak for you and what your wishes are in various medical situations, including cardiac resuscitation, mechanical respiration, tube feeding or artificial or invasive nutrition, blood, surgery or invasive diagnostic tests, kidney dialysis or antibiotics.

A living will can also indicate what type of services the person wants after death and if they have strong preferences about burial or cremation.

“That's the beauty of going to an attorney and having a conversation about this stuff because this is life or death,” Bozich-DiLuigi said.

Life insurance

Getting a life insurance policy is something people often don't think about until later in life, but Stephen Dunton, an agent with Nationwide Insurance in Cranberry, said it's best to get a policy while you are young.

“Especially if you're young and healthy, that's the best time to get rated,” Dunton said. “Even if it's just a small term policy that can cover your home mortgage or your auto loan.”

Dunton said the premium rate on life insurance policies can go up with various age-related health issues. People can start with smaller term policies and later convert them into something more permanent, he said.

“With life insurance, you get in front of an agent who can take a look at your life situations, finances, children, debts, all of that,” he said. “Then they can figure out how much life insurance you actually need.”

Additionally, if you are looking for savings in other policies, bundling auto and home policies can offer the biggest discount. And good student discounts for children on an auto policy can help lower rates.

Dunton said the best thing is to sit down with a local agent and talk to them about your situation.

“Don't rely on what you see in commercials,” he said. “Don't rely on websites or 800 numbers. Get yourself a local agent, whatever company it is. Have them take a look at things for you. I think that's going to be the biggest benefit.”