Major changes in your life should always prompt you to consider an update to your estate plan, but sometimes it’s easy to put this on the back burner and to forget about the possibility of what might come next. Updating your estate plan every three to five years usually means taking a look at it at least every 12 or 18 months. 
You may not even realize that circumstances in your life have changed or that external circumstances, such as updates in state or federal tax law could influence you.
There are many different reasons why meeting with a lawyer for an update to your estate plan is important, but at the top of the list is making sure that your estate plan accomplishes your objectives and is legally valid. Here are some of the most important reasons to schedule a regular review and update of your estate plan:
- You may have undergone a significant health event.
- You may have a new grandchild or child who you want to include in your estate plan.
- The size of your estate might have changed potentially triggering tax consequences.
- Tax law changes have occurred.
- Your plan may no longer accomplish what you want it to.
- You’ve gotten married, remarried or divorced.
Set aside a time to meet with an experienced and knowledgeable estate planning attorney to discuss your next steps and how changes to your plan may be necessary. At our Pasadena estate planning office, we can help you with all aspects of your strategies and tools.
