With the holiday season upon us, especially this year, care and concern for family and loved ones takes on particular importance. Although contemplating what will happen to our assets should we lose capacity or pass away is not a typically joyful holiday pastime, thinking broadly about your main goals for your estate plan can provide a positive starting point. To help you get started, below are some of the most common estate planning objectives:

• Provide financially for oneself, spouse, children, or other friends and family members

• Minimize estate and income tax consequences

• Appoint a guardian for children

• Give to charities, churches, or other organizations

• Contribute to educational costs of loved ones

• Protect assets from creditors

• Appoint representatives in the event of incapacity

• Simplify the process of asset transfer for family members

• Give specific items of personal property to family or friends

• Avoid the probate process

Taking the time to consider what you wish to accomplish with your estate plan can make the process seem less daunting and provide a clear roadmap for developing your plan. For more information on ways to meet your estate planning objectives, take a look at this recent piece from Forbes.

Wondering what to give your loved ones this holiday season? An estate plan is the gift that keeps on giving! Planning provides direction and clarity to your loved ones both while you are alive and after you pass away. Though planning can seem stressful, by failing to plan, we unfairly pass this stress onto loved ones who are left to make difficult decisions for us. Estate planning really does not have to be painful. Often, the hardest part is getting started. To help out, NerdWallet provides 7 simple steps to getting started with your estate plan:

1. Take inventory of your tangible and intangible assets.

2. Contemplate how you would like to utilize your assets and estate plan to protect your family.

3. Select individuals to manage your personal and medical decisions should you become incapacitated.

4. Check beneficiary designations on insurance policies as well as retirement, investment, and other accounts.

5. Understand how and if estate taxes may apply to your situation.

6. Consider hiring a professional to assist with your plan.

7. Plan for the present, but expect to revise in the future.

Though joy and estate planning are unlikely synonyms, the holidays are the perfect time to think about protecting and honoring our loved ones. Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving!