Spring Forward: Refresh Your Estate Plan This Season

As the days grow longer and flowers begin to bloom, many people embrace spring as a time for fresh starts and renewal. While you’re busy decluttering your home and tackling spring cleaning projects, don’t forget one of the most important areas to refresh—your estate plan.

Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done task. Life changes, laws evolve, and your wishes may shift over time. That’s why spring is the perfect time to review, update, and ensure your estate plan is in top shape.

Why Updating Your Estate Plan Matters

Many people create an estate plan and then let it sit untouched for years. But an outdated estate plan can cause confusion, unintended consequences, and unnecessary legal challenges for your loved ones. Consider reviewing your plan if:

  • You’ve had major life changes—such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the passing of a loved one.
  • Your financial situation has changed due to a new job, home purchase, or inheritance.
  • Your named executors, trustees, or guardians are no longer the best choices.
  • Estate laws or tax regulations have changed since your last update.

Not sure when to update your estate plan?

Check out our guide: How Often Should I Update My Estate Plan:

Life Milestones to learn when key life events signal it’s time for a review.
By taking time this spring to refresh your plan, you can ensure it reflects your current needs and goals.

Estate Planning Spring Cleaning Checklist

Here are five key areas to review when updating your estate plan:

1. Review Your Will and Trusts

  • Ensure that your will and any trusts still reflect your wishes for asset distribution.
  • Verify that your named executor and trustee are still the right choices.
  • Wondering what happens when a loved one inherits a trust? Learn about the process here: What Happens When a Loved One Inherits a Trust?

2. Update Beneficiary Designations

  • Double-check that your life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets have the correct beneficiaries listed.
  • If you’ve experienced life changes, you may need to add or remove a beneficiary.

3. Refresh Your Powers of Attorney

  • Confirm that your financial and healthcare powers of attorney are up to date.
  • If your chosen decision-makers are no longer available or suitable, update these documents accordingly.

4. If you’ve been through a divorce, your ex-spouse may still be listed as your power of attorney—meaning they could still have legal authority over your finances or medical decisions. Be sure to update these documents as soon as possible. Learn more here: How Does a Divorce Affect Your Estate Plan in California?

5. Organize Your Digital Estate

  • Make sure your family knows how to access your important online accounts, from banking to social media.
  • Consider creating a digital estate plan to manage passwords, cryptocurrency, and online assets.

6. Check Your Plan for Tax Efficiency

  • Review your plan with an estate planning attorney to ensure you’re taking advantage of tax-saving strategies.
  • If you own a business, explore options for succession planning to protect your legacy.

A Fresh Start for Your Legacy

Just as you wouldn’t leave clutter sitting in your home for years, you shouldn’t let an outdated estate plan gather dust. Spring offers the perfect reminder to review and refresh your plan, ensuring it aligns with your current life and goals.

If you haven’t updated your estate plan recently, now is the time to take action. Contact us at 951-494-6472 to schedule a review and make sure your legacy is protected for the future.