- Marriage can automatically give each spouse some rights in each other’s property. However, marriage does not automatically change your will or trust to provide for the new spouse. It is important to examine your estate plan in light of the new situation and your mutual and separate goals.
- Divorce is particularly disruptive to an estate plan. Goals which you had before, such as providing for the now ex-spouse, probably have to be changed. An ex-spouse may inherit certain assets if you do not update your estate plan.
- Birth or Adoption. The addition of a new family member can radically alter your estate plan.
- Illness. If you or one of your family members becomes seriously ill, you may want to consider changing your estate plan to reflect their increased needs. For example, if a loved one now has special needs, you can leave assets in a trust that will not disqualify him or her from receiving government benefits.
- Changes in relationships with family and friends. With the passage of time, you learn more about yourself and others. For example, you may decide your brother John, who lost everything in the real estate bubble, may not be the best selection to manage your assets.
- Change in Tax Laws. As we all know, Congress rarely leaves tax law alone for long. Changes in tax law can mean your estate plan no longer accomplishes its goals.
- Change in Non-Tax Laws. Periodically, state legislatures change substantive non-tax laws. An example of this would be the change in the Power of Attorney law in 2010. These laws may affect who gets your property or how your trust may be managed.
- Inheritance. If you or your spouse have received or expect to receive a significant inheritance, there may be new opportunities to reduce taxes or provide creditor protection.
- Change in Assets. A significant change in the nature or extent of your assets may give rise to different estate planning options. For example, the acquisition of a farm or business may raise issues of succession planning and discounted gifting.
- Change in Residence. While estate planning documents typically are valid from one jurisdiction to another, each state has its own peculiarities. If you move you will want to have your estate plan reviewed by a qualified estate planning attorney in the new state that you reside.
Continue to invest in your estate plan by scheduling your review every three to five years. We believe such a review is vital, not only to your peace of mind, but ours as well. Let us help you determine if any changes in the law, both federal and state, as well as the mutual evolution of your circumstances have not adversely impacted your planning.
Attorney/Owner at Sinclair Prosser Gasior
His personal experience with family and the problems that resulted from their failure to create an estate plan resulted in his desire to learn more about this area of the law. From his work in the Elder Law Clinic, he further realized the need to plan not only for death, but also for incapacity during their lifetime.
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