When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan?
Estate planning isn’t a one-time task — it’s a living framework that should evolve as your life and priorities change. Over the years, we’ve seen that regular reviews are one of the most effective ways to ensure your plan continues to protect what matters most.
At Staab Law, P.A., we encourage clients to revisit their estate plans periodically — not just after a major event, but as part of a healthy planning routine. This simple step helps keep your plan aligned with your current goals, family dynamics, and financial picture.
Why Regular Reviews Matter
Your estate plan reflects your life at the time it was created. But life rarely stands still. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths, career changes, and relocations can all impact how your plan should function.
A periodic review helps ensure your documents remain:
- Accurate — reflecting current relationships and circumstances.
- Compliant — aligned with updates in Florida or federal law.
- Effective — structured to meet your long-term objectives.
Regular reviews also help you identify new opportunities — such as updating tax strategies, optimizing trusts, or adjusting charitable giving — that may not have existed when you first created your plan.
Your Estate Plan Review Checklist
Use this quick checklist as a guide when reviewing your plan:
Personal and Family Updates
- Have there been any marriages, divorces, births, or deaths in your family?
- Have any of your beneficiaries or fiduciaries (executor, trustee, guardian) moved, changed contact information, or become unable to serve?
Financial and Property Updates
- Have you acquired or sold real estate, investments, or business interests?
- Have your retirement accounts or insurance policies changed, and do your beneficiary designations still match your plan?
Documents and Legal Appointments
- Do your wills and trusts still reflect your current intentions and family structure?
- Are your powers of attorney and healthcare directives up to date and compliant with Florida law?
- Are the right people still appointed — and willing — to act on your behalf?
Trust and Tax Review
- Are your trusts performing as intended?
- Do any tax law changes impact your estate strategy or gifting approach?
These small check-ins help ensure your plan functions the way you intended when it matters most.
The Benefit of Staying Current
An updated plan gives you confidence that your wishes will be honored and your loved ones cared for. It also minimizes stress for family members and reduces the chance of disputes or delays later.
As we often tell our clients, keeping your plan current allows you to manage your legacy proactively, rather than reacting to unexpected events.
We’re Here to Help
At Staab Law, P.A., we help families across Fort Lauderdale, Naples and throughout Florida create and maintain estate plans that evolve with them. Whether you’re making minor adjustments or conducting a comprehensive review, we’ll help ensure your plan reflects where life has brought you — and where you want it to go.
If you’ve experienced life changes or it’s simply been a few years since your last review, now is a great time to revisit your plan.