How Often Should You Review Your Trust? Key Moments That Call for an Update
You’ve taken the important step of creating a trust—congratulations! That means you care deeply about protecting your loved ones, avoiding court and conflict, and leaving behind a plan that works when it matters most. But here’s the thing: your trust isn’t a one-and-done document. It needs regular check-ups to keep up with your life.
Think of your trust like a tailored suit—it may have fit perfectly when you first created it, but over time, life changes. Families grow. Finances shift. Laws evolve. If your trust doesn’t keep up, it may no longer reflect your wishes—or worse, it may not work when your loved ones need it most.
Why Reviewing Your Trust Regularly Is So Important
💍 Life Changes—and So Should Your Plan
Have you:
Gotten married or divorced?
Had a child or grandchild?
Started or sold a business?
Moved to a new state?
Changed your mind about who should manage your affairs?
If you answered yes to any of these, it’s time to review your trust.
Changes in family structure, new assets, or shifting priorities can all affect whether your current trust still aligns with your goals. Even if everything feels stable, your trust may be missing key updates—like including new beneficiaries, updating your trustee, or incorporating new property.
📜 Laws Change Too
Even if your personal life hasn’t changed, tax laws and state laws do. An older trust may not take advantage of today’s tax benefits or might include outdated language that complicates administration.
For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 significantly changed estate tax thresholds. If your trust was created before then—or even just a few years ago—it may contain provisions that are no longer helpful or even necessary.
Regular legal reviews help ensure your plan is still effective and compliant.
How Often Should You Review Your Trust?
As a general rule:
Every 3–5 years for a standard check-up
Immediately after key life events, such as:
Marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse
Birth or adoption of children/grandchildren
Death of a named trustee or beneficiary
Major changes in your financial situation
Moving to a new state
New tax or estate planning laws
Even if nothing appears to have changed, a regular review is your opportunity to confirm your plan is still working as intended.
The Consequences of an Outdated Trust
Failing to update your trust can lead to:
Assets going through probate because they weren’t properly titled
Unintended beneficiaries receiving your estate
Family conflict over unclear or outdated instructions
Higher taxes on your estate
Legal challenges that could have been avoided
The peace of mind that comes from reviewing your trust regularly is priceless—not just for you, but for your loved ones.
A Trust Review Doesn’t Always Mean Big Changes
Sometimes, everything is still in order—your assets are aligned, your people are the same, and your wishes haven’t shifted. That’s great! Even then, the review process gives you clarity and confidence that your plan will work when your family needs it most.
Let’s Make Sure Your Trust Still Fits Your Life
At Starsia Law, we believe estate planning is an ongoing relationship—not a one-time transaction. That’s why we build trust reviews into our ongoing support for families, so your plan always reflects your life, your goals, and the people you love.
You’ve worked hard to build a legacy worth protecting. Let us help make sure your plan keeps up with it.
Let’s sit down, review your trust, and make sure it still protects everything (and everyone) you care about.
This article is a service of Starsia Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning Session™, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.