After you create your estate plan, you may hope that you will not have to spend much time thinking about your death ever again. However, it is quite common for people to need to revisit and update their estate plans later in life.
This is particularly true for those who relocate to another state. If you move to Florida for retirement or at any point after creating your estate plan, then the documents that you have likely require an update.
You need your documents to comply with state law
Florida has its own unique approach to estate planning and probate, from rules about the number of witnesses required when you sign a will to what terms you can include in your will. If you violate a law or include terms that the courts won’t uphold, like a no-contest clause, then you open your estate plan up to challenges.
When you have documents created to comply with the law in another state, there’s a possibility that the courts might invalidate part or all of your existing estate plan. Additionally, it is likely that your assets have changed due to your relocation. Your family relationships may change as well. When you update your existing estate plan, you can take into account the new property and family members you’ve acquired. You can also remove out-of-date beneficiary and asset information.
The more accurate and up-to-date your estate plan is, the less vulnerable your estate will be to challenges from others or complications in probate court. Knowing when it is time to update your estate plan documents can help ensure that you retain control over your final legacy.
