Just because you’ve created an estate plan doesn’t mean you can turn a blind eye to it for the rest of your life. There will be times when it makes sense to review your estate plan, with the idea that you may need to modify some of the terms and conditions.
Here are some examples:
- Divorce or marriage: If your marital status changes, there’s a good chance it’ll call for modifications to your estate plan. For example, if you get married, you may want to name your new spouse as the beneficiary of your will.
- Having a child or adoption: Adding a child to your family is a joyous occasion. Review your estate plan for applicable changes, such as naming a guardian or adding them as a beneficiary.
- Major change in financial circumstances: For instance, if you win the lottery or sell your business for a large sum of money, you’ll want to alter your estate plan to match your newfound wealth.
- Too much time has passed: Even if you don’t have a specific reason to modify your estate plan, the passage of time is enough for you to conduct a thorough review.
Even if estate planning stresses you out, don’t let this stop you from reviewing it and making changes as necessary.
As you alter your estate plan, you’ll realize that it’s for the best, as it provides both you and your loved ones with peace of mind. Just make sure that every change you make is done in a legal manner, as you don’t want to take any risks that could impact you or your family in the future.