Keeping Your Estate Plan Current Why Reviews Are Critical
United States, 3rd Oct 2025 – Creating an estate plan is an essential milestone—but it’s only the beginning. Life never stands still, and neither should your estate plan. At Fishbein Law Group, we don’t just draft strategies—we help ensure they remain effective as your life, assets, and family circumstances evolve.
In this article, we’ll highlight why updating your estate plan is vital, the events that often trigger changes, and how our attorneys help safeguard your legacy through regular reviews.
Why Estate Plan Maintenance Matters
A well-prepared estate plan can lose its power if it doesn’t reflect your current situation or wishes. Without updates, your plan may lead to:
- Beneficiary designations that no longer match your intentions
- Fiduciaries who are unable or unwilling to serve
- Assets that aren’t titled correctly or left out of your trust
- Missed opportunities for tax efficiency
- Conflicts or confusion among heirs
Estate planning should always be seen as a living process—one that adapts alongside your life.
Key Life Changes That Require a Review
We recommend revisiting your estate plan every two to three years, or sooner if major changes occur, such as:
- Marriage, divorce, or remarriage
- Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- Death, incapacity, or estrangement of a beneficiary, trustee, or agent
- Significant financial shifts like inheritance, retirement, or new investments
- Purchase or sale of a home or business
- Moving to a different state or tax law updates
These life events can dramatically alter how your estate plan works and whether it still carries out your intent.
What We Review in a Check-Up
At Fishbein Law Group, our estate plan “check-ups” are designed to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. During a review, we:
- Confirm fiduciaries (trustees, guardians, agents) remain appropriate
- Verify beneficiary designations and account titling
- Ensure your trust is properly funded with all current assets
- Revisit health care directives and powers of attorney
- Explore new legal opportunities or planning strategies
We also provide tools and reminders to keep your documents up to date between appointments.
Why Trust Funding Updates Are Essential
One of the most common oversights in estate planning is forgetting to fund new assets into a trust. A trust is only as strong as the property it contains. If you’ve opened a new bank account, purchased real estate, or inherited property, those assets must be integrated into your plan.
Our firm helps ensure:
- New accounts and property are properly titled
- Beneficiary designations align with your estate plan
- Assignments of personal property stay accurate
This prevents assets from being unintentionally excluded and ensures your trust operates as designed.
Our Ongoing Support
We believe your estate plan should provide confidence, not uncertainty. That’s why we:
- Offer convenient scheduling for in-person or virtual reviews
- Provide most updates at flat fees, eliminating billing surprises
- Maintain digital archives of your signed documents
- Keep clients informed of legal and tax changes that affect planning
Maintaining your estate plan is just as important as creating it. As your life, priorities, and the law shift, proactive updates keep your plan valid, enforceable, and aligned with your goals.
At Fishbein Law Group, we make maintaining your estate plan clear, simple, and ongoing. Contact us today to schedule your review and ensure your legacy is protected.
For more information on Tempe Estate Planning Attorneys, or if you would like a Living Trust Attorney in Tempe, or know more about Medical Powers of Attorney, call Fishbein Law Group at (480) 920-1000 for a courtesy conversation.
The text above is for general informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
Company Details
Organization: Fishbein Law Group
Contact Person: Office Manager
Website: https://fishbeinlawgroup.com/
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Release Id: 03102534885