Estate planning isn’t something most people think about regularly.
In fact, many individuals put a plan in place once… and then life keeps moving.
But here’s something I often see as a Washington State notary: it’s not just creating a will or trust that matters – it’s reviewing it when life changes.
If any of the situations below sound familiar, it may simply be time to revisit what you already have in place.
1. Marriage or Divorce
A change in marital status is one of the most important times to review your estate plan.
Marriage may mean:
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Adding a spouse as a beneficiary
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Updating powers of attorney
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Adjusting property distribution
Divorce may mean:
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Removing a former spouse
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Updating decision-makers
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Revisiting asset distribution
Even if your documents are technically still valid, they may no longer reflect your current wishes.
2. The Birth or Adoption of a Child (or Grandchild)
Welcoming a child into your life often shifts priorities quickly.
This is typically when people begin thinking about:
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Naming guardians
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Providing financial protection
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Clarifying long-term wishes
Even grandparents sometimes choose to update their documents to reflect new family dynamics.
It’s less about complexity and more about clarity.
3. Buying or Refinancing a Home
Real estate is often one of the largest assets a person owns.
Purchasing property – especially in Washington State – may change how assets are titled and distributed. Reviewing your will or trust after a home purchase helps ensure everything aligns properly.
This is something I see often when working with clients during loan signings.
4. Starting or Growing a Business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners sometimes forget that their business interests should be addressed in their estate plan.
Questions to consider:
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Who would step in if something unexpected happened?
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How would ownership be handled?
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Are decision-makers clearly designated?
Even a simple review can prevent confusion later.
5. A Move to a New State
This one surprises people.
While many estate planning documents remain valid across state lines, laws can vary. Moving to or from Washington State is often a good time to review documents and confirm everything still works the way you intend.
A Simple Reminder
Reviewing your estate plan doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Often, it’s just a matter of making thoughtful updates so your documents reflect your current life.
In my experience, these reviews tend to bring relief – not stress.
If it’s been several years since you looked at your will or trust, or if one of these life changes applies to you, this may simply be a gentle nudge to revisit it.
Starting with a Small Step
If you’re not sure what you have in place – or what might need updating – beginning with a checklist can make the process feel much more manageable.
👉 You can download my Estate Planning Starter Checklist here
And if you’d like to explore straightforward will and trust options designed for everyday families:
👉 Visit my Trusts & Wills page
For clients in Kitsap County and throughout Washington State, I offer both mobile notary services and remote online notarization (RON) to help ensure documents are properly executed once you’re ready.
👉 Learn more about my services here
DISCLOSURES:
Precision Notary and its employees are not attorneys licensed to practice law in this state. We are not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.
This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
All legal documents offered are provided by Everything Living Trust.
Document translation & interpretation services are provided by Idiomatic Language Services.
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