Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family, preserve your assets, and create a plan so your wishes are honored. But too often, people in Pasadena create a will or trust once and then tuck it away, assuming the job is done. In reality, estate planning is not a one-time project. As your life changes, so should your plan.
Whether you’ve recently gotten married, purchased property in Pasadena, or experienced another major milestone, failing to update your estate plan can have serious consequences for your family. California law, in particular, has unique rules around community property, probate, and taxes that make regular updates essential. Similarly, you should update your plan if you’ve just moved to California from another state or if there are changes in tax laws that could influence your plans. Talking with a Pasadena estate planner is recommended in all these situations so your plan properly aligns.Â
Life changes are some of the most frequent reasons someone needs to update their estate plan. Failing to update your plan may mean that your prior plan still applies, meaning that your property will not transfer to the beneficiaries you intended.Â
Below, we’ll walk through the most common life changes that call for an estate plan review—and explain why staying current matters so much.
Marriage or Divorce
California is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during marriage are generally owned jointly by both spouses. If you marry and don’t update your will or trust, your spouse may not automatically inherit everything you want them to, and stepchildren or extended family could be left out unintentionally.
On the other side of the spectrum, divorce dramatically impacts estate planning. If you fail to update your beneficiary designations or remove your former spouse from your documents, they could still inherit property or retain decision-making authority under a power of attorney or health care directive. Courts in California sometimes override old documents, but relying on that creates unnecessary risk.
Welcoming Children or Grandchildren
Adding children or grandchildren to the family is a joyful event, but it also raises important estate planning questions. Who will care for minor children if something happens to you? Will your trust provide for grandchildren equally, or only those born before your plan was drafted?
California parents should consider naming several alternate guardians in their will. Trusts should also be updated to include new family members, especially if you want to set aside money for education or protect assets until children reach adulthood.
Buying or Selling Property in Pasadena
Pasadena real estate is often one of the largest assets in a family’s portfolio. If you buy a new home or sell a property, your estate plan should reflect those changes. For example, you may want to transfer property into a living trust to avoid probate—a lengthy and expensive court process in California.
You should also be aware of Proposition 19, which significantly changed property tax rules in California. If you plan to leave property to children, your estate plan should account for the possibility of reassessment and higher property taxes.
Starting or Selling a Business
Pasadena has a thriving entrepreneurial community, from family-owned restaurants to tech startups. If you start a business, your estate plan should include a succession plan so the company can continue to run smoothly if you become incapacitated or pass away.
Selling a business is just as important to account for—especially when the proceeds need to be allocated among beneficiaries. Without updating your plan, California probate courts may end up making those decisions for you.
Changes in State or Federal Law
Laws governing estates, taxes, and probate change regularly. California in particular has some of the most complex probate codes in the country. Estate tax thresholds at the federal level also shift from time to time.
Even if your life circumstances haven’t changed, it’s a good idea to have an attorney review your plan every three to five years to review compliance with current law.
Retirement and Health Considerations
As you approach retirement, you’ll likely have new assets to manage—such as IRAs, pensions, and other retirement accounts. Beneficiary designations for these accounts must be coordinated with your will and trust.
This is also the time to review health care directives and powers of attorney. California allows you to name an agent to make medical decisions if you’re unable to do so, but those documents should reflect your current wishes and relationships.
FAQs: Estate Plan Updates in California
Q: How often should I update my estate plan?
A: Experts recommend having your plan reviewed by an attorney every three to five years, or immediately after a major life event such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in assets. Once a year, it’s good to sit down and review your existing documents yourself.Â
Q: If I have a trust, do I still need to update it?
A: Yes. A trust is only effective if it’s kept current. New assets should be properly titled into the trust, and trustees or beneficiaries should be updated as life circumstances change.
Q: Does California law automatically update my estate plan after divorce?
A: Some provisions are revoked automatically (such as spousal inheritance under a will), but many are not. Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, or transfer-on-death deeds must be changed manually.
Q: What happens if I don’t update my plan after buying a new home in Pasadena?
A: If the home isn’t included in your trust or will, it may have to go through probate, which in California can take months or even years and significantly reduce the value passed on to your heirs.
Q: Can I just make changes myself, or do I need an attorney?
A: While some updates—like changing a beneficiary on a retirement account—can be done directly with the institution, most estate planning changes require legal formalities. An experienced California estate planning attorney can help you make updates that are valid and enforceable.
Your estate plan is more than just a set of documents—it’s a roadmap for your family’s future. In Pasadena, where property values are high and California law is complex, keeping your plan up to date is essential.
Â
If you’ve experienced any of the life changes described above—or if it’s been more than a few years since your last review—now is the perfect time to meet with an estate planning attorney. A proactive update today can save your family stress, money, and uncertainty tomorrow.
Contact our Pasadena estate planning team today to schedule a consultation and make sure your plan reflects your current wishes and California’s current laws.
