How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
An estate plan is a living reflection of your life, your relationships, and the values you want to pass on. Yet many people create an estate plan once—often during a major life event—then leave it untouched for years. As life changes, your documents need to keep pace. The real question isn’t simply whether you have an estate plan, it’s whether your current plan would still carry out your wishes if something happened to you today.
Outdated documents can create confusion or even conflict among the people you care about most. Keeping your plan up-to-date ensures your legacy is carried out how you envision and protects your loved ones from additional distress during a difficult time.
When Should You Update Your Estate Plan?
While every situation is unique, there are predictable life events that should prompt an immediate review of your plan:
Family Changes
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of children
- Death of a spouse or loved one
- Changes in health or caregiving needs
Financial or Lifestyle Changes
- A move to a different state
- New job, business, or major asset
- Updated charitable goals
- Adding or closing accounts, purchasing a home, or growing your investments
Role and Relationship Changes
- Updating executors, trustees, or guardians
- Adding specific bequests of personal property
- Adjusting your plan to maintain harmony among heirs
How Often Should You Review Your Plan?
A good rhythm is to review your plan every 3–5 years. You’ll want to make sure your plan reflects any changes in the law, your financial picture, or your personal relationships, as well as checking that trusts are appropriately funded, and appointees are updated.
Getting Started
- Review your documents and asset titling.
Make sure beneficiaries and ownership (account titling) align with your wishes.
- Check in with your estate planning attorney.
Make sure you have a relationship with an accessible advisor who’s aware of your full financial picture and set up a time to review your full plan with them. Once you’ve reviewed your plan with your financial advisor, connect with your attorney about any changes.
- Communicate with your appointees and family.
Clarity now prevents confusion later. Make time to communicate your wishes and the structure of your plan with the appropriate people so you can answer any questions they may have.
Updating your estate plan isn’t just a technical administrative task. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm what matters most and ensure your loved ones are supported with clarity, intention, and care.
