Existing Plan Review

Your estate plan is a snapshot of your life and wishes at the moment it's created. When major life events occur, that snapshot can quickly become outdated, potentially leaving your loved ones with unintended outcomes, unnecessary court involvement, or decisions that no longer reflect your current reality.

Reviewing and updating your plan after significant changes is not a sign that something was "wrong" the first time; it's simply making sure your plan continues to protect the people and values that matter most to you right now.

You should update (or at least review) your estate plan promptly after any of the following life transitions:

Loss of a spouse — After losing a spouse, updating your estate plan may not feel urgent, and that's okay. But the documents you have may no longer function as intended. If your spouse was named as executor, trustee, healthcare agent, or power of attorney, those roles need to be reassigned. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and bank accounts may need to be updated. Your will or trust may need to reflect new wishes about how assets pass to your children or grandchildren.

Our review process is thorough but unhurried. We walk through everything with you at your pace, explain what needs to change and what can stay, and help you update your plan so it reflects your life as it is now, not as it was before.

Divorce or separation — Most people do not want an ex-spouse to remain as guardian, executor, trustee, beneficiary, or decision-maker for finances and healthcare. Failing to update can leave your former spouse with significant legal authority or inheritance rights—outcomes almost no one intends.

Remarriage — A new marriage often requires rethinking how assets, inheritance, and guardianship are handled, especially if you have children from a previous relationship. Without updates, your new spouse may not receive what you intend, or your children may be unintentionally disinherited or left vulnerable.

Birth or adoption of children — New children need to be added to guardianship nominations, beneficiary designations, and any trusts. Without updates, a court may have to decide who raises them, and assets may pass in ways that don't protect or provide for the newest family members.

Children reaching adulthood — Once children turn 18, they are no longer minors. You may want to remove them from guardianship provisions, add them as co-trustees or successor agents, give them access to funds at a later age, or adjust distributions now that they can legally manage their own affairs.

Significant changes in assets — A large inheritance, sale of a business, purchase of major property, substantial investment gains, new retirement accounts, or changes in financial circumstances often warrant revisiting how assets are titled, who manages them, and how they're distributed to avoid tax issues, family conflict, or unintended distributions.

Updating your estate plan after these events brings clarity, prevents surprises, reduces the risk of court intervention, and gives you renewed peace of mind that your plan matches your current life and priorities.

Even without a specific triggering event, we recommend reviewing your estate plan every three to five years. Laws change, relationships evolve, and financial circumstances shift. A periodic check-in ensures your plan still works the way you intended. Our Client Care Plan includes an annual review consultation to catch these issues early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my old estate plan still valid?

Possibly, but "valid" and "effective" aren't the same thing. A will signed 15 years ago may still be legally valid, but if it names an ex-spouse as executor or doesn't account for children born since then, it won't produce the results you want. A review determines whether your plan still reflects your current wishes and Kentucky law.

Can I change just part of my plan?

Yes. Not every update requires starting from scratch. Sometimes a trust amendment or updated beneficiary designations are all that's needed. We'll recommend the simplest, most cost-effective approach during your review.

What happens if I need major revisions during my annual review?

If significant changes are needed (e.g., due to remarriage, business sale, or new family members), we handle them efficiently with your 20 percent discount on services. The review itself is the starting point—we discuss options, provide recommendations, and outline costs upfront so there are no surprises. Many updates are minor and cost-effective, but the program ensures you're never starting from scratch.

How often should I review my estate plan?

After any major life event, and it's a good conversation to have every year even if you don't think anything has changed because laws may have changed. Our Client Care Plan includes an annual review consultation so we catch issues early, before they become problems.

What does the annual review in the Client Care Plan cover?

Your annual review is a dedicated 60-minute consultation where we examine your current documents, recent life or financial changes, asset titling, beneficiary designations, and any updates to Kentucky or federal laws. We discuss whether amendments, new beneficiary forms, or other tweaks are needed. This proactive check helps ensure your plan remains effective and aligned with your wishes, often preventing larger issues later.

Is the Client Care Plan required after the first free year?

No, it's optional, but highly recommended. The first year is included at no extra cost with all our packages to give you immediate ongoing support as your plan settles in. After that, the annual fee of $500 provides continued peace of mind: the yearly review, 20 percent discount on any revisions or additional services, and priority communication directly with Lindsey. Many clients find the value far exceeds the cost by catching small changes early.