Just Like You Need a Medical Checkup, Your Estate Plan Needs a Checkup
You wouldn’t go years without seeing a doctor — not because something is wrong, but because you want to keep everything on track. Your estate plan works the exact same way. Even the strongest wills and trusts can become outdated if they’re never reviewed. Life changes. Laws change. Your wishes change. And an estate plan that hasn’t been checked in years might no longer protect your family the way you intended. Here’s why your estate plan needs a regular checkup, just like your health.
1. Life Changes Quickly — and So Should Your Plan
Major life events should trigger an automatic review, such as:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption
Becoming a grandparent
Moving to another state
Buying or selling a home
Starting or closing a business
Newly inherited money
If your documents don’t reflect your current situation, they won’t work the way you expect.
2. Your Beneficiaries May Have Changed
Beneficiary designations can quietly become outdated:
An ex-spouse still listed
A child now needing a trust
A deceased family member still named
A new child or grandchild missing entirely
Updating these prevents painful legal issues and accidental disinheritance.
3. Your Decision-Makers Might Not Be the Right People Anymore
The people you named years ago to serve as:
Executor
Trustee
Guardian
Power of Attorney
Healthcare Proxy
…may no longer be ideal (or even available).
A checkup ensures you still trust (and can rely on) these individuals.
4. Taxes and Laws Change — Constantly
Tax laws, inheritance laws, and trust rules shift over time.
A plan that once minimized taxes might now create:
Higher tax burdens
Unnecessary probate
Delays
Extra fees
A quick legal review can update your plan to reflect current laws and protect your estate.
5. Your Assets Have Probably Changed
New bank accounts. Different investments. A home upgrade. New retirement accounts.
Unless these assets are properly titled or added to your trust, they may go:
To the wrong person
Through probate
Out of alignment with your wishes
Asset reviews are one of the most important parts of an estate plan checkup.
6. Your Wishes Mature Over Time
The way you want to protect your family today may be different from 5 or 10 years ago. You may now care more about:
Long-term care
Disability planning
Protecting adult children
Securing a spouse
Leaving a charitable legacy
Ensuring business continuity
Your estate plan should grow as you grow.
Final Thought: Prevent Problems Before They Start
Just like a medical checkup catches small issues before they become big problems, an estate plan checkup ensures your loved ones are protected, your wishes are honored, and your legacy stays intact.
A simple review every 2–3 years keeps everything healthy, updated, and ready for the future.