The Importance of Regularly Updating Your Estate Plan
- Daniel P. Ufford
- May 27
- 2 min read
Life Changes—Your Estate Plan Should Too
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family, your assets, and your legacy. But once your estate plan is in place, the job isn’t done.
At Ufford Law & Mediation Offices, we regularly help clients update their wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents to reflect life’s inevitable changes. Here's why regularly reviewing and updating your estate plan is just as important as creating one in the first place.
Why You Need to Update Your Estate Plan
1. Life Changes Happen
Major life events can affect your estate planning needs, such as:
Marriage or divorce
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of a loved one
Moving to a new state
Starting or selling a business
These changes may impact who you want to inherit your assets or make decisions on your behalf.
2. Laws Can Change
Estate and tax laws are constantly evolving. What worked five years ago may no longer be the best option for your family today.
3. Your Assets Change
As your financial situation changes, so should your estate plan. This includes:
Buying or selling property
Gaining or losing investments
Receiving an inheritance
You want to be sure your plan reflects your current holdings and goals.
4. Relationships Evolve
You may wish to change:
Beneficiaries
Executors or trustees
Guardians for your children
Powers of attorney
Regular reviews help ensure that the right people are in the right roles.
How Often Should You Review Your Estate Plan?
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years, or sooner if there’s a major life change. It’s a simple step that can prevent confusion, conflict, and costly legal issues for your loved ones.
Protect Your Legacy—Stay Updated
An outdated estate plan can be just as problematic as having no plan at all. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make changes.
Ufford Law & Mediation Offices is here to help you keep your plan current, clear, and legally sound.
Fill out our consultation form today to schedule an estate plan review.
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