How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?

What Every Family Needs to Know

An estate plan is often created during a meaningful moment in life—when a child is born, a home is purchased, or a family begins thinking more intentionally about the future.

At that time, decisions are made thoughtfully. They reflect your priorities, your relationships, and the life you’re building.

But life doesn’t stand still.

Over the years, circumstances change. Families grow, financial situations evolve, new responsibilities emerge, and personal goals become clearer. What once felt complete and well-structured may no longer fully reflect your current reality.

That’s why reviewing your estate plan isn’t just a legal formality—it’s a way to ensure that everything you’ve built continues to support the people and values that matter most to you today.

A Real-Life Example Many Families Recognize

Consider Bill and Karen Kendrick.

They created their first estate plan 30 years ago when their daughter, Jessica, was born. A few years later, they updated it after their son, Steve, arrived. About 10 years ago, they put a more comprehensive trust-based plan in place and felt confident everything was covered.

And then, like many families, they stopped revisiting it.

Over time, their lives changed in meaningful ways:

Their children are now adults, living independent lives.
Their daughter is married with children, including one who may have special needs.
Their son is expecting his first child.
They purchased a vacation home in another state.
Their family pet passed away, and new pets became part of their lives.

None of these changes are unusual. In fact, they reflect the natural progression of life for many families.

But each of these moments can impact how an estate plan works and whether it still aligns with your intentions.

For example:

Planning for a loved one with special needs often requires specific strategies to help preserve eligibility for certain forms of assistance (you can explore general guidance through organizations like The Arc).
Owning property in another state can create additional legal considerations if not properly coordinated (the American Bar Association offers helpful overviews).
Even pet provisions may need to be updated to ensure ongoing care is clearly addressed (ASPCA provides useful insight).

It raises an important question:

Does a plan created years ago still reflect the life you’re living today?

So, How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?

There are two simple guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Review Your Plan Every 3–5 Years

Even if nothing major has changed, a periodic review is important. Laws evolve, planning strategies improve, and small details can become outdated over time.

2. Update Your Plan After Major Life Events

Certain moments should always prompt a review, including:

Marriage, divorce, or remarriage
The birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
Significant changes in health
Buying or selling property (especially in another state)
Starting, growing, or selling a business
Changes in financial accounts or investments
Taking on responsibility for a loved one
The passing of a family member
Changes in relationships with those named in your plan
A new diagnosis makes a care journey likely

Even positive developments—like children becoming financially independent—can influence how and when you want assets distributed.

Resources like Caring.com and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys also emphasize the importance of reviewing your plan regularly as part of thoughtful long-term care planning.

Why Regular Updates Matter

An outdated estate plan doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, but it can mean something is no longer aligned.

Without regular updates, your plan may:

Distribute assets in ways that no longer reflect your wishes
Miss opportunities to better protect loved ones
Create unnecessary complexity or delays
Fail to account for new assets or responsibilities
Overlook more effective planning tools available today

Keeping your plan up to date helps ensure that everything you’ve built continues to support your family in the way you intend, both now and in the future.

Planning With Clarity, Care & Experience

We’ve spent over 20 years guiding families through life’s most important transitions.

One of the most common questions we hear is simple: “How often should I update my estate plan?”

Our answer is always grounded in the same principle: your plan should evolve as your life does. If it’s been more than a few years since your last review, or if your life looks different today than it did when your plan was created, this is a natural moment to revisit it. Whether your plan needs a simple update or a more in-depth review, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity, care, and confidence.

Request your consultation today, and take the next step forward with clarity, care, and confidence.