Most people feel a sense of relief once their estate plan is done. The will is signed, the beneficiaries are named – everything feels taken care of.
What many people do not realize is that estate planning is not a one-time task. If your documents are sitting in a drawer somewhere with years between now and the last time you looked at them, a Glen Ellyn estate planning attorney can help you figure out whether they’re still representative of what you actually want in 2026.
Is There an Ideal Schedule for Updating an Estate Plan?
There is no single rule that applies to everyone, but most estate planning attorneys suggest reviewing your plan every three to five years at a minimum. That review does not always result in changes. But regular check-ins help you catch things that have quietly become outdated before they cause problems.
In Illinois, estate planning documents like wills and trusts are governed by the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5) and the Illinois Trust Code (760 ILCS 3). These laws do get updated from time to time, and a change in state law could affect how your documents are interpreted or carried out. It’s important to make sure your plans stay current with the legal landscape.