Creating an estate plan is a powerful step, but it’s not a one-and-done task. Life changes, and when it does, your estate plan needs to keep up.
At Smith Barid, LLC, we often meet with Georgia families who created a plan years ago and haven’t looked at it since. The truth is, an outdated plan can be just as risky as no plan at all.
So how often should you review or update your estate plan? Here’s what we recommend.
Review Every 3–5 Years
Even if nothing major has changed in your life, it’s smart to revisit your estate plan every few years. Laws change. Family dynamics shift. Your wishes might evolve. A quick review can help catch small issues before they turn into big problems.
Update After Major Life Events
Certain moments in life should always trigger an update to your estate plan:
- Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- Marriage or divorce (yours or your heirs’)
- Death of a spouse, child, or beneficiary
- A significant change in your finances or assets
- Moving to a new state (Georgia laws may be different!)
- Changes in your health or care needs
- Shifts in relationships with the people you’ve named (like your executor or trustee)
Each of these moments impacts your plan, and if it’s not updated, your documents may no longer reflect your wishes or offer the protection you intended.
Don’t Forget Digital Assets and New Accounts
These days, we all have online accounts, digital photo libraries, and even cryptocurrency. If you’ve opened new bank accounts, updated retirement plans, or gained digital assets, make sure those are included in your estate planning strategy.
Let’s Make Sure Your Plan Still Works
At Smith Barid, we make updates easy. We’ll walk through your current documents with you, flag anything that needs attention, and help you make smart adjustments based on where you are now.
Call us today at 912-352-3999 or click here to schedule your discovery meeting. With offices in Savannah and Marietta, we’re here to help Georgia families keep their plans up to date and their futures secure.
