Marriages, moves, and new laws all quietly invalidate old plans. A twenty-minute annual review prevents most surprises.
An estate plan is not a monument; it is a set of instructions that must track your actual life. Plans fail quietly — the beneficiary designation from a prior marriage outlives the divorce decree.
Check the people
Are the named trustees, executors, and guardians still the right people — and still willing and able to serve? Name alternates.
Check the assets
Did a refinance, inheritance, or business sale change what the trust actually owns? A pour-over will only moves what makes it into the basket.
Check the beneficiaries
Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by designation regardless of what your will says. Reconcile them annually.
Check the law
Portability elections, state estate tax thresholds, and digital asset statutes all move. A five-year gap between reviews is long enough for a rule change to cost real money.
Twenty minutes once a year, with a calendar reminder, prevents almost every avoidable probate problem we are asked to fix.
Questions about this topic? Our attorneys are happy to talk.
Contact the author