Life is constantly changing—marriages, births, new investments, retirement, and even changes in tax laws can impact your estate plan. If you haven’t reviewed your documents in a while, now is the perfect time to make sure they still reflect your wishes.

Estate Plan Spring Cleaning Checklist by Jill M. Santiago, ESQ

Review Your Will & Trusts

• Ensure your will and any trusts accurately reflect your current wishes.
• Check that your executor or trustee is still the right choice.
• Update distributions if your family circumstances have changed (e.g., new children, grandchildren, or changes in financial status).

Check Beneficiary Designations

• Review your beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts (401(k), IRA), and investment accounts.
• Make sure these align with your estate plan—beneficiary designations override what’s written in a will!

Update Powers of Attorney & Healthcare Directives

• Confirm that your financial power of attorney and healthcare proxy are up to date.
• Ensure the individuals you’ve named are still capable and willing to act on your behalf.

Organize and Secure Important Documents

• Gather all key documents—will, trust, financial records, insurance policies, deeds, and passwords for digital accounts.
• Store them in a secure but accessible location, such as a fireproof safe or a secure online vault.
• Let your executor, trustee, or key family members know where to find them.

Consider Tax & Legal Changes

• Have there been any recent changes to tax laws that could impact your estate?
• Speak with an estate planning attorney to ensure your plan is structured efficiently to minimize tax burdens.

Discuss Your Plan with Loved Ones

• Open conversations about your estate plan can prevent confusion and conflicts in the future.
• Share general information with family members, especially those who will have important roles like executor or trustee.

If you need assistance updating your estate plan or have questions about any of these steps, our team is here to help. Schedule a Review Session by clicking below.