When it comes to estate planning, most people make the mistake of not updating their estate plan. They put it off for years but estate planning isn’t something you set and forget.
Life changes and if your plan doesn’t evolve as well, it could cause more harm than good when the time comes. You may be wondering what could go wrong if you don’t update your estate plan regularly. Well, by the end of this article, you’ll learn about the consequences and how you can enlist the help of an estate planning lawyer.
Life happens and you need to update your plan
Think about the different life events you can experience within a short period of time. Talk about getting married, divorced, married again, have kids, grandkids and even lose someone you love. Or talk about buying a house, selling your business, inheriting money or moving to a new state.
All of these things can affect how your estate should be handled. If your plan doesn’t reflect these changes, your final wishes might not play out the way you intended, and the consequences could be severe.
Legal risks of an outdated estate plan
An outdated estate plan is almost as risky as not having one and here’s why:
- Your properties and assets might go to the wrong people and the people you intend to receive your estate assets end up with nothing. This is one of the common mistakes people make when leaving properties to their children, especially when they fail to update or legally structure their estate plan.
- Family fights can ensue and can even get ugly. When the plan contains vague or outdated instructions, it causes a lot of drama and even lawsuits.
- An outdated estate plan will have you trusting the wrong executor. If the person you trusted is no more right for the job, they could mishandle your estate.
- Your plan might be legally invalid because different states have different rules and something as small as moving can cause a huge mess if you’re not careful.
How a lawyer can help you stay ahead
This is where a good estate planning lawyer comes in. They don’t just help you draft documents, they help you keep your plan current, legal, and accurate.
Here’s what they’ll do:
- Review your plan regularly (maybe every 2–3 years or after major life events)
- Update your documents so they reflect your current wishes and relationships
- Spot red flags before they become legal headaches
- They advice you on taxes, living trusts, or Medicaid planning that could benefit your estate
- They make sure everything works together—your will, power of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary forms
Conclusion
Estate planning is a continuous process because you revisit it as your life grows and changes. Constantly updating your estate plan as you get older is non-negotiable.
It saves you from more expenses in the future and it protects the peace and unity in your family after you’re gone. So, if you’ve not checked your estate plan in a while or you’re not even sure what’s in there anymore, now is the time to call your estate planning lawyer and schedule a time to update it.