Spring Cleaning Your Estate Plan: What to Review This Year

Spring is often a season of clearing out the old and making room for what’s next. While most people think of closets, garages, and junk drawers, your estate plan deserves the same attention. Life changes quickly, from new children and properties to shifts in finances, and your documents should reflect your current reality. A yearly “estate planning clean-up” helps ensure your wishes are honored, and your family avoids confusion later.

Below is a simple, annual review you can walk through including: 

• Wills 

• Trust Funding/Assets 

• Powers of Attorney 

• Healthcare Surrogate 

• Beneficiaries  

If you haven’t updated these items in a while (or ever), now is the perfect moment to refresh them with the help of Elaine McGinnis, P.A. 

Wills 

Your will lays out who receives your assets and who manages your estate. If anything in your life has shifted since your last update, it’s time to revisit it.  

Major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, moving to a new state (which I see all the time in Florida), or purchasing significant property can alter how your will should function. Even small changes, such as selecting a different personal representative or adding sentimental items for specific family members, are worth updating. 

Look over your current will and ask yourself: Does this still reflect my wishes? Are the named individuals still the right choices? If anything feels outdated or unclear, mark it for revision. 

Trust Funding 

If you have a trust, it only protects the assets you place into it. Many people establish a trust and forget to fund it, leaving real estate, bank accounts, or investments outside the structure intended to safeguard them. 

Review each asset you own and confirm it is either titled in the name of your trust or designated to transfer to the trust when you pass. This ensures your trust works as intended, avoiding probate, providing privacy, and distributing assets smoothly. 

If you’ve acquired new accounts or property recently, make sure they are added. A trust that isn’t funded is essentially an empty container, so this step matters. 

Powers of Attorney 

A financial power of attorney allows someone you trust to handle money and legal matters if you become unable to do so. Because this person will step into an important role, they should still be someone you feel confident turning to; responsible, organized, and accessible when needed. 

Look at who you named.  

• Are they still the best fit?  

• Have their circumstances changed?  

• Do you want to name a backup?  

Spring is a good moment to reaffirm your decision or update it if life has shifted. Also, make sure your document complies with current Florida law, as older versions may need to be refreshed. 

Healthcare Directives 

Healthcare directives, often called a living will and healthcare surrogate designation, spell out your wishes for medical treatment and name the person who can speak for you if you are unable. 

These decisions are deeply personal, and your feelings may evolve. Review your instructions to ensure they reflect your current preferences for life-prolonging care, pain management, and end-of-life decisions. 

Then confirm that the person you’ve chosen is still willing, able, and emotionally prepared to act on your behalf. Clear directives reduce stress for your loved ones during difficult moments.  

Beneficiary Designations 

Many assets pass directly to beneficiaries without going through your will or trust. These include retirement accounts, life insurance, and some financial accounts. This means outdated beneficiary designations can override the rest of your estate plan. 

Take a moment to log in to each account or request updated forms. We want to confirm that your chosen beneficiaries are listed correctly, in the right order, and with accurate contact information. If you’ve experienced family changes, this is especially important. Aligning these designations with your will or trust keeps everything consistent and avoids surprises for your heirs during Florida probate. 

Ever-Evolving Estate Planning 

Spring cleaning your estate plan doesn’t require an overhaul, just a thoughtful review to make sure everything still works for your life today. A few small updates now can prevent confusion, delays, and unintended outcomes later. 

If you want help reviewing or updating your documents, I can walk you through each step with clarity and care. Reach out to me, Elaine McGinnis P.A., today to schedule an estate planning review and start the season feeling organized, confident, and protected.