Life moves fast, and your estate plan should keep pace. A will, trust, or power of attorney written years ago may not reflect your life today. At Jordan & White, LLC, we focus on protecting your interests now and building solid plans for the future, so your family is not left guessing. This article explains how often to review your documents, what life events call for quick updates, and how Massachusetts rules can affect your plan.
Our firm has deep roots in the North Shore, and we value simple, practical guidance. We help clients in all stages of life, from first homes to retirement. If something here sparks a question, reach out and let us walk you through your next step.
The General Guideline: Regular Review Intervals
A good rhythm for most people is a full review every three to five years. That window catches changes in your family, finances, and Massachusetts law without letting the plan go stale. Small tweaks now can prevent headaches later.
During a checkup, look at your will, any trusts, and your advance directives to confirm they still match your wishes. If your documents name people for important roles, double check that each person is still ready and able to help.
When you sit down to review, start with this short list:
- Will and any codicils, including specific gifts and residuary clauses.
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts, plus how assets are titled and funded.
- Durable power of attorney, health care proxy, and HIPAA release.
- Living will or end-of-life guidance, if you use one.
A quick meeting and a few updates can keep everything aligned with your goals.
Key Life Events That Should Trigger an Immediate Review
Some moments are big enough that you should not wait for a three-year cycle. When one of these happens, pull out your plan and check it right away.
Changes in Marital Status
Marriage, divorce, or remarriage can reshape your plan overnight. Update devisee choices, your will or trust provisions, and titling on larger assets. In Massachusetts, provisions for an ex-spouse in a will are revoked by law, but retirement accounts and life insurance need manual beneficiary changes.
Family Expansion
The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild calls for updated guardianship nominations and financial planning for minors. Many families use a trust to manage funds for school and life needs. Clear instructions help avoid court disputes and guesswork.
Substantial Alterations in Assets
Buying or selling real estate, starting or selling a business, or receiving a large inheritance can shift the whole plan. Confirm the right assets sit in the right buckets, and review tax exposure. Business interests often need separate instructions for succession or sale proceeds.
Relocation
Moving into or out of Massachusetts warrants a review. States handle wills, trusts, and taxes differently. A short check can confirm your documents meet local rules and still work the way you want.
Changes in Health
A new diagnosis, a long-term condition, or a serious injury is a signal to revisit your health care proxy and powers of attorney. You can also add treatment preferences, care instructions, and financial guardrails. Clear authorizations help your chosen agents act without delay.
Death of a Devisee or Fiduciary
If a devisee, trustee, personal representative, health care agent, or attorney-in-fact passes away, plug that gap quickly. Add an alternate if one is missing, or reshuffle roles to people who are ready to serve. This avoids court involvement later.
The table below gives a handy snapshot of common triggers and the usual action items.
| Trigger | What to Review | Typical Update |
| Marriage | Will, trusts, beneficiary forms, titling | Add spouse, adjust gifts, retitle home and accounts as needed |
| Divorce or separation | All dispositive documents and agents | Remove ex from roles and devisee slots, update trustees |
| Birth or adoption | Guardians, trusts for minors | Name guardians, create or revise a children’s trust |
| Large asset change | Trust funding, tax exposure | Retitle assets, add schedules, review gifting or trust tools |
| Relocation | Document validity under new state law | Re-execute or amend to meet local formalities |
| Health shift | Health care proxy, DPOA, HIPAA | Confirm agents, add instructions for care and finances |
| Death of a named person | Successor roles and contingent gifts | Appoint new agents, adjust distribution paths |
Keep this table handy, and you will know exactly when to call for a quick tune-up.
Massachusetts Estate Tax Considerations
Massachusetts has its own estate tax with a threshold that is lower than the federal level. For dates of death in 2023 and after, the Massachusetts threshold is $2 million. This change helps many families, yet a good number of estates still sit near or above that line.
Tax rules can shift with new laws or inflation adjustments. If your wealth is trending toward the threshold, timing and structure matter. A short planning session can reduce tax drag and keep more in the family.
Here are planning moves people often review in Massachusetts:
- Use of revocable and irrevocable trusts to manage how and when assets pass.
- Lifetime gifts that trim the taxable estate while meeting family needs.
- Charitable giving through donor funds or trusts to match values and reduce taxes.
Every situation is different, and small tweaks can have a big impact in this area.
Other Important Factors to Consider
Beyond major events, a few quiet items deserve a periodic look. These touch assets that pass outside a will and the people who help carry out your plan.
Changes in Beneficiary Designations
Retirement accounts, life insurance, and some bank or brokerage accounts transfer by beneficiary form. Check those forms during each review so they match the rest of your plan. If your will says one thing and a form says another, the form usually wins.
Digital Assets
Online accounts hold real value and sensitive records. Add directions for access, and name who can manage or close accounts under your plan.
- Password managers and cloud storage with family photos or documents.
- Cryptocurrency wallets and exchange accounts.
- Social media, email, and online banking portals.
Clear notes on where to find credentials and what should happen next will save time and stress.
Changes in Fiduciaries
People move, get busy, or step away from heavy roles. Recheck your personal representative, trustee, health care agent, and attorney-in-fact. If someone is no longer the right fit, swap them out and add backups.
Why Routine Estate Plan Maintenance is Essential
Regular maintenance keeps your plan accurate and avoids accidental gifts or old instructions. Outdated documents can spark delays, higher costs, and disagreements. A steady review schedule also prevents last-minute scrambles during a tough moment.
Many families like to keep a simple checklist they revisit every few years. Here is a short version you can use:
- Confirm your goals, then align gifts and trusts with those goals.
- Verify titles and beneficiary forms on all major accounts.
- Refresh powers of attorney and health care documents if they look stale.
- Update addresses, emails, and phone numbers for your agents and trustees.
A current plan brings calm during retirement planning, downsizing, or a health change. You will know that the right people can act and the right assets go to the right place, without fuss.
Ensure Your Legacy: Contact Jordan & White, LLC, Today
If it has been a while since your last review, a quick meeting can make a real difference. At Jordan & White, LLC, we build plans that match your life today and still work years from now. Feel free to call us at 978-744-2811, or reach us through our Contact Us page to schedule a convenient time. We welcome your questions and work hard to protect Massachusetts families with clear, practical planning.