Because “set it and forget it” doesn’t work for real life
Many people finally do their estate plan and then tuck it away, assuming they’re done forever.
But life doesn’t sit still.
Families grow, shrink, move, remarry, and change, and your plan should grow with you.
Here are the key life events that should make you pause and say:
“Time to check the plan.”
1. Marriage or New Partnership
If you:
- Got married
- Entered a registered domestic partnership
- Have a long‑term partner you want to protect
…your old plan might:
- Leave them out
- Give them less control or protection than you’d expect
- Cause tension with children or other family members
An update can clarify who is in charge and who receives what, so no one is caught off guard.
2. Divorce or Separation
After a divorce or separation, many people:
- Still have an ex named in their will or trust
- Still have an ex as a beneficiary on retirement accounts or life insurance
- Still have an ex as their health care or financial decision‑maker
If that’s not what you want, your brain will feel a lot better once those documents and designations match your current reality.
3. Birth or Adoption of a Child or Grandchild
New child in the picture?
An update lets you:
- Name guardians for minor children
- Decide how and when children or grandchildren should receive money
- Provide for special needs, education, and long‑term support
This is one of the biggest “I’ll sleep better once this is done” triggers for most parents.
4. Death or Major Illness of Someone in Your Plan
If someone named in your plan has:
- Died
- Become seriously ill
- Become unable to serve (e.g., as trustee, executor, or agent)
…it’s time to revisit:
- Backup decision‑makers
- How assets will be distributed
- Whether your structure still works the way you intended
Your plan should never depend on just one person always being available and well.
5. Buying or Selling a Home or Business
Major asset changes matter.
If you:
- Bought a home (especially in California)
- Sold a home
- Acquired or sold a business
- Inherited property
…it’s wise to double‑check:
- How the property is titled
- Whether the trust needs to be updated or funded
- Whether your plan still matches your current net worth and risk tolerance
6. Moving to a New State
Different states have different laws about:
- Community vs. separate property
- Powers of attorney and health directives
- How wills and trusts are interpreted
If you’ve moved, especially across state lines, an attorney in your new state should confirm your plan still works as intended.
7. Significant Change in Finances
If your financial situation has changed in a big way:
- Substantial increase or decrease in assets
- Major debt paid off or taken on
- Inheritance or windfall
…it’s time to look at:
- Whether your plan still fits your goals
- Whether you want to protect assets differently
- Whether beneficiaries’ needs have shifted
8. Changes in Relationships
Real talk: relationships change.
If there has been:
- A serious falling‑out
- Addiction or instability in the life of someone in your plan
- Reconciliation or a new closeness you want to recognize
…your plan should reflect today’s reality, not an old chapter.
9. It’s Been 3–5 Years (Even Without Big Changes)
Even without major events, it’s smart to review your plan every few years.
Your brain gets a small but powerful reward every time you confirm, “Yes, this still does what I want.”
The Point: Your Life Is Dynamic. Your Plan Should Be Too.
You don’t need to obsess over your documents every year.
But you also don’t want your family relying on a plan written for a life you no longer live.
