Keep It Current: When to Update Your Estate Plan in California

Creating an estate plan is just the first step—it needs regular attention to stay effective. In California, the law and your personal circumstances can change quickly, making it important to keep your plan current. A well-maintained estate plan ensures your assets are protected, your wishes are followed, and your loved ones avoid unnecessary court delays or disputes.

General Rule: Review Every 3–5 Years

As a baseline, you should review your plan every three to five years. This helps ensure your documents stay current with changes in the law, tax rules, and other regulations that could affect your plan.

Review Immediately After Major Life Events

You should also revisit your estate plan right away if you experience:

1. Marriage or Divorce

Changes in marital status can affect inheritance rights, beneficiary designations, and community property rules.

2. Birth or Adoption of a Child or Grandchild

You may need to add guardianship provisions, create trusts for minors, or adjust distributions.

3. Death or Incapacity of a Beneficiary or Fiduciary

If a trustee, executor, or named beneficiary dies or becomes unable to serve, you may need to name replacements.

4. Significant Changes in Assets

Buying or selling real estate, starting or closing a business, or receiving a large inheritance can require updates to your trust and titling of assets.

5. Relocation

Moving into or out of California can change applicable laws for wills, trusts, and property taxes.

6. Health Changes

A diagnosis or decline in capacity—yours or a loved one’s—can mean revisiting powers of attorney and healthcare directives.

Why Updates Matter in California

• Avoid Probate Surprises – An outdated plan might not avoid court intervention if assets aren’t titled in your trust or beneficiaries are incorrect.

• Protect Against Unintended Beneficiaries – Without updates, ex-spouses or deceased relatives could still be named.

• Maintain Tax Efficiency – California-specific rules on property tax reassessment and federal estate tax thresholds change over time.
  

Quick Maintenance Checklist

• Confirm your trust is funded and all titles are correct.

• Review beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts.

• Verify your executor, trustees, and guardians are still the right choices.

• Update your advance healthcare directive and power of attorney if needed.

Action Items:

• Put a calendar reminder to review your plan every three years.

• Schedule an earlier review if you have a major life or financial change.

Please contact me with any questions.

About the Author

Kendra Hampton has nearly 20 years of legal experience. She manages her own estate planning practice and has helped hundreds of clients create and update their trust, will, and powers of attorney. Kendra is committed to educating clients on the importance of estate planning and crafting personalized planning strategies.