Creating an estate plan is one of the most responsible things you can do for your family. But signing the documents isn't the finish line — it's the starting point. Life changes, and your estate plan needs to change with it. An outdated plan can be just as dangerous as no plan at all.

Here are seven life events that should prompt a call to your estate planning attorney.

1. You got married

Marriage changes everything in estate planning. You'll likely want to update your will to include your spouse, revisit beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, and consider whether a trust makes sense for your combined assets. In Arkansas, marriage does not automatically revoke a prior will, so if you haven't updated your documents since your wedding, there may be gaps you don't know about.

2. You got divorced

Divorce is arguably the most urgent trigger for an estate plan update. Arkansas law does revoke certain provisions in favor of a former spouse after divorce, but it doesn't automatically update your beneficiary designations on life insurance or retirement accounts — those are governed by federal law and require you to act. I've seen ex-spouses inherit retirement accounts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars because no one updated the beneficiary form after the divorce was finalized.

3. You had or adopted a child

A new child means two things need to happen immediately: designating a guardian in your will, and making sure your assets are structured to benefit that child appropriately. Minor children can't inherit significant assets outright — a court would have to appoint a conservator to manage the money until they turn 18. A trust lets you control when and how your children receive their inheritance.

4. A beneficiary or executor died

If someone named in your estate plan has passed away, your plan needs to be updated. This includes named beneficiaries, alternate beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and agents under your power of attorney. Failing to update after a death can create confusion, court proceedings, and outcomes you never intended.

5. Your financial situation changed significantly

Bought a home? Inherited money? Started a business? Sold property? Any significant change in your assets may affect how your estate should be structured. What worked when you had $50,000 in savings may not be the right plan when you have a home, a retirement account, and a business interest to consider.

6. You moved to a different state

Estate planning laws vary significantly by state. If you moved to Arkansas from another state, your existing documents may still be valid — but they may not take full advantage of Arkansas law, and they may have gaps specific to your new situation. It's always worth having an Arkansas attorney review your out-of-state documents.

7. It's been more than 3–5 years

Even if nothing dramatic has changed, estate plans should be reviewed periodically. Tax laws change. Your relationships evolve. Your assets shift. A plan that was perfectly tailored to your life five years ago may have meaningful gaps today. I recommend a quick review every three to five years even in the absence of major life events.

How long does an update take?

In most cases, updating an estate plan is much faster and less expensive than creating one from scratch. Depending on what needs to change, an update can often be completed in a single appointment. The hardest part is usually picking up the phone — and that part takes about 30 seconds.