Your Estate Plan: Ready for the New Year?

The end of the year naturally brings reflection—on family, finances, goals, and the direction you want the new year to take. But one area that quietly impacts every corner of life often gets skipped: your estate plan.

Estate plans aren’t meant to sit untouched for decades. They are living documents, designed to evolve as your life does. Even small life changes can create significant gaps if your plan doesn’t keep up. With the year changing and life evolving, now is the perfect moment to pause and ensure your estate plan still reflects your life today.

Over the past year, you may have experienced some of the following changes—many of which automatically trigger the need for an update:

1. Family Changes

• Has a child turned 18?
• Have you welcomed grandchildren?
• Are you caring for aging parents?
• Have there been any marriages, separations, or divorces?

2. Financial Updates

• New accounts or investments?
• Real estate purchases or sales?
• Business changes or restructurings?
• Refinances or other significant financial shifts?

3. Health & Roles

• Has anyone named as a trustee, executor, or agent had a change in ability to serve?
• Are there any new health considerations affecting decision-makers?

4. Goals & Priorities

• Are you planning charitable giving or legacy gifts?
• Do you need to protect adult children or dependents in new ways?
• Are long-term care or other priorities shifting?

5. Document Accuracy

• Are all assets accounted for?
• Are beneficiaries and key roles still correct?
• Does your plan reflect current laws and your current life situation?

A simple year-end review helps ensure your estate plan still aligns with who you are, what you own, and what your family needs. Taking a little time now can provide peace of mind for the year ahead.