Estate planning isn’t something you complete once and forget about. Life moves on — and when it does, your estate plan should move with it.
Your Will, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), and other important documents should always reflect your current wishes, family situation, and financial circumstances. If they’re out of date, they can cause confusion, delays, or even disputes for your loved ones later on.
At Viva Planning, we believe an estate plan should evolve with your life. Here are five signs it’s time to review your estate plan.
1. You’ve Had a Major Life Change
Life’s biggest moments can affect who should benefit from your estate or who should make decisions on your behalf. You should review your plan if:
You’ve married or divorced
You’ve had a child or grandchild
A loved one has passed away
You’ve bought or sold property
Your health has changed
A divorce, for example, doesn’t automatically remove an ex-partner from your Will. Similarly, a new child or grandchild won’t be included unless you update your documents.
What to do: After any major life change, make sure your Will, LPAs, and beneficiaries still match your wishes.
2. Your Beneficiaries Have Changed
Relationships evolve. Over time, you might wish to include new people or remove others from your estate plan.
You may need a review if:
You’ve fallen out with someone named in your Will
You’ve reconnected with a family member
You’ve welcomed a new partner, stepchild, or grandchild
A named beneficiary has passed away
What to do: Ask yourself — is this still who I want to inherit my estate? If not, it’s time to make changes.
3. Your Executors or Attorneys Are No Longer Suitable
Your executor (for your Will) and attorneys (for your LPAs) hold serious responsibility. If they’ve passed away, moved abroad, or are no longer the best fit, you’ll need to update your plan.
What to do: Review who you’ve chosen for these roles. If they’re no longer suitable, appoint someone you trust to act responsibly and fairly.
4. It’s Been Over Three to Five Years
Even without major life changes, a review every few years is wise. Laws evolve, finances shift, and personal values can change.
Ask yourself:
Do I still want my estate divided this way?
Have my assets increased or decreased?
Do my LPAs reflect my current wishes?
What to do: Schedule a simple review every 3–5 years to ensure your plan still works for you.
5. You’ve Never Reviewed It — or You Don’t Remember What’s in It
If you’ve never revisited your Will or LPAs since they were signed, or you can’t recall the details, it’s time to take another look.
Common problems include:
Missing assets or outdated names
LPAs that were never registered
Executors who are no longer alive or suitable
Instructions that no longer match your wishes
What to do: Spend half an hour reviewing your documents. If anything looks out of date or unclear, seek expert guidance.
Why Reviewing Your Estate Plan Matters
Failing to update your plan can cause avoidable hardship for your family:
Family disputes over unclear instructions
Probate delays from missing or outdated information
Wrong people inheriting assets due to old Wills
Loved ones unable to make decisions if LPAs are missing or invalid
Your estate plan should give peace of mind — not problems. A quick review today could save your family months of stress later.
Ready to Review Your Estate Plan?
At Viva Planning, our estate planners make reviewing and updating your Will or LPAs simple. Whether you need a quick check or a full review, we can help you protect your estate and your loved ones’ future.
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