Did you know your beneficiaries override your will?

Here's what that means and why it matters: if your life insurance policy lists your brother as the beneficiary, but your will names your spouse, kids, and church, the insurance company will pay your brother.

That’s because beneficiary designations operate by contract—not by your will. Your will only applies to assets not already legally assigned to someone else.

The takeaway? Check your beneficiary designations regularly to ensure they align with your estate planning goals.