Estate planning is not a one-time task. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant financial shifts require updates to ensure documents remain valid and aligned with current wishes.
Marriage often calls for revising beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and wills. Conversely, divorce requires removing former spouses from these documents to prevent unintended inheritances or decision-making authority.
Parents should update wills and trusts to include guardianship provisions and financial planning for minors. Trusts can ensure that children inherit assets in a structured way, avoiding direct transfers that may be difficult for young beneficiaries to manage.
Acquiring or selling a business, purchasing real estate, or receiving an inheritance requires revisiting estate documents. Trusts or revised wills may be necessary to reflect new assets and prevent disputes among heirs.
Legal experts recommend reviewing estate plans every three to five years, even without major life changes. This ensures compliance with evolving tax laws and guarantees that all documents reflect current intentions.