You may have heard that there is a chance that the volcano lying underneath Yellowstone National Park may erupt in the near future and cover this area in ash. Then again, it might also not do so for another 1000 years. What does this mean for you? Well, for starters, it wouldn’t hurt to have your estate plan up-to-date.Although this scenario is tongue-in-cheek, updating your estate plan is not. You should review your will or trust periodically to note any significant changes. Have you had children? Are your children adults now? Did you win the lottery or receive an inheritance? What you may have thought was a great estate plan a few years ago may not fit your current situation. Keeping your estate plan up-to-date can save you and your heirs time and money.Updating a will can be a relatively painless process. If there aren’t major changes, you can do a quick amendment—a.k.a. a codicil. A codicil can be used to change out a named personal representative or add a newborn grandchild to the list. Sometimes, a different type of will may be more appropriate for estate tax purposes or other reasons. If so, redrafting the estate plan will be well worth the expense in the long run.If you have questions about your estate plan or would like to discuss any updates, please contact me.
