When should I update my estate planning documents?

Review your estate documents every three to five years, and immediately after any major life event. Triggers include marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary, executor, or guardian, a large change in your net worth, buying a home or business, moving to a new state (laws differ), or a child reaching adulthood. Also revisit if your relationships shift — a once-trusted agent may no longer fit. Don't just check the will: update beneficiary designations, your power of attorney, healthcare proxy, and any trust at the same time, since these often drift out of sync. Tax-law changes can warrant a look too. A quick annual scan plus event-driven updates keeps your plan accurate. Running wealthserene.com/assessments/estate-readiness once a year is an easy way to catch what's stale.