When to Update Your Estate Plan in California

Introduction: Estate Plans Should Evolve With You

Creating an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are followed. But life rarely stands still. Changes such as marriage, divorce, buying a home, or starting a business can affect how your assets are distributed and who is in charge of carrying out your plan. Knowing when to update your estate plan in California ensures that your documents still reflect your true intentions.

Jennifer Shelton, A Professional Law Corporation, helps clients throughout California keep their estate plans up to date and legally sound, no matter how life changes.

1. Marriage or Domestic Partnership

When you get married or register a domestic partnership, your legal and financial circumstances change dramatically. Updating your estate plan ensures that your new spouse or partner is properly included and has the rights you intend under California’s community property laws. Without an update, an outdated will or trust could unintentionally leave them out.

2. Divorce or Separation

After a divorce, many people forget to remove their ex-spouse as a beneficiary or power of attorney. This can create confusion and disputes later. California law revokes some spousal designations automatically after divorce, but not all. Reviewing your documents with an attorney ensures that every outdated provision is corrected.

3. Buying or Selling a Home

Purchasing property is one of the most common reasons to revisit your estate plan. Real estate is often the largest asset in an estate, and adding it to your revocable living trust allows it to avoid probate. If you’ve sold a property or purchased a new one, your deed and trust documents should be updated accordingly.

4. Starting or Expanding a Business

If you’ve launched a business, it’s important to plan for what happens if you pass away or become incapacitated. A business succession plan—or at least clear instructions in your trust—ensures the continuity of operations. Jennifer Shelton, A Professional Law Corporation, regularly works with small business owners across Siskiyou and Del Norte Counties to align business structures with their personal estate plans.

5. Having or Adopting Children

The arrival of a new child changes everything, including your estate priorities. Updating your plan ensures that guardians are appointed, trusts for minors are created, and inheritance is structured responsibly. It’s one of the most loving things you can do for your family’s security.

6. Changes in Assets or Beneficiaries

Life events such as receiving an inheritance, changing jobs, or opening new financial accounts all warrant a review. Likewise, if a beneficiary has passed away, moved, or become estranged, your documents should reflect those updates to prevent confusion later.

7. Periodic Review Every Few Years

Even without major life changes, it’s wise to review your estate plan every three to five years. California laws can shift, and what worked five years ago may no longer offer the best protection. Regular reviews ensure your plan remains current and enforceable.

Conclusion: Keep Your Plan Current

An outdated estate plan can cause unnecessary stress and legal complications for your loved ones. Whether you’ve recently experienced a life change or it’s been a few years since your last review, Jennifer Shelton, A Professional Law Corporation, can help you update your estate plan in California and ensure it continues to meet your goals.