Why Estate Plans Need Regular Reviews
Many people think of estate planning as a one-time task.
They create documents, sign them, and place them in a drawer. Years pass, and life continues to evolve.
Financial planners and estate professionals consistently emphasize one point:
Estate plans work best when they are reviewed periodically.
Why Plans Drift Out of Alignment
Over time, even a well-designed plan can become outdated.
Common reasons include:
Divorce or remarriage
Changes in relationships
New assets or property sales
Changes in tax laws
Moves to a different state
These shifts do not automatically update your documents.
Small Changes Can Have Big Effects
Often, the necessary updates are simple:
Changing a beneficiary
Replacing an agent or trustee
Updating a trust provision
Reflecting a new relationship
These are usually straightforward adjustments, but they can have a significant impact on how smoothly things are handled later.
A Simple Rhythm for Most People
For many households, it is reasonable to:
Review the plan every few years
Revisit it after major life events
Make small updates as needed
This keeps the plan aligned with your current life rather than a past version of it.
Planning as an Ongoing Process
Estate planning works best as a quiet, ongoing part of life.
Not something urgent.
Not something dramatic.
Just something that stays current.
For many people, a simple review every few years is enough to keep their plan aligned with the life they are living now.
