As we head into the Fourth of July, most people are thinking about BBQs, beach days, and fireworks—not estate plans. We get it. But summer can actually be one of the best times to check in on your plan, especially if life has shifted over the last year (and let’s be honest, it usually does).

Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing process that needs regular attention to stay aligned with your life and your goals. So while you’re enjoying some well-earned downtime this holiday, here are a few reminders to help keep your plan working the way it’s supposed to:

You’ve Had a Life Change

New home? New job? New baby or grandchild? Even one of these changes is enough to throw off your estate plan, especially if your assets haven’t been aligned with your trust.

We’ve seen how easy it is to forget to update the plan in the middle of life’s big moments, but if we don’t know what’s changed, we can’t help but keep everything in sync.

You’ve Taken Out a HELOC or Refi’d Your Mortgage

As rates come down, we’re seeing more clients take out HELOCs, and with that comes a common estate planning issue.

Most lenders require the home to be taken out of the trust temporarily during the financing process. But if it doesn’t get retitled back into the trust afterward, your plan may no longer work the way it was designed to.

If you’ve recently taken out a HELOC or refinanced, it’s worth checking in to make sure everything is still aligned with your plan. We’re here to support you through that process.

You Don’t Remember the Last Time You Looked at Your Plan

If it’s been a few years (or longer), your goals, relationships, or financial picture may have shifted. Plans only work when they reflect your life today, not what it looked like when you first signed the documents.

A quick review helps ensure everything is still aligned, everyone named in your plan is still the right fit, and your loved ones won’t be left guessing.

One Small Step = Peace of Mind

We’re not saying you should spend your holiday weekend reading your trust line-by-line (unless that’s your idea of a good time). But it is a good time to pause and ask: has anything in my life changed that could affect my plan?

If you answered yes, let our office know at your next scheduled check-in, or reach out so we can determine the best next steps to ensure your plan continues to work the way you intended.