Estate Plan Update or Revision in Utah: Keep Your Plan Current and Effective
Life changes — and so should your estate plan. Even the most carefully crafted wills, trusts, and powers of attorney can become outdated as your family, finances, and goals evolve. That’s why reviewing and updating your plan regularly is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored.
At Cutler | Riley, we help Utah families keep their estate plans up-to-date and legally effective, so they work exactly as intended when it matters most.
Why Updating Your Estate Plan Is So Important
An estate plan is not a “set it and forget it” document. It’s a living set of instructions that should grow and change with your life. If you created your plan more than a few years ago — or if you’ve experienced any major life events — there’s a good chance it no longer reflects your current wishes.
Outdated plans can cause real problems, such as:
Assets going to the wrong beneficiaries
Guardianship decisions that no longer make sense
Out-of-date tax strategies that cost your heirs money
Court delays and disputes due to unclear instructions
Powers of attorney or healthcare directives naming people who are no longer appropriate
Updating your plan ensures your loved ones are protected, your assets are distributed the way you intend, and your wishes are followed without confusion.
When to Update Your Estate Plan
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3 to 5 years — and immediately after any major life event. Common triggers include:
Marriage or divorce – Update beneficiary designations and guardianship decisions.
Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild – Add new beneficiaries and revise guardianship.
Death of a spouse, family member, or trustee – Replace fiduciaries and update distributions.
Significant changes in assets – Buying real estate, selling a business, or inheriting wealth.
Relocation – Moving to Utah or another state can affect how your plan is interpreted.
Law changes – Updates in tax, trust, or probate laws may require revisions.
Health changes – Illness or incapacity may prompt updates to your healthcare directive or power of attorney.
If any of these events have occurred — or if it’s simply been more than a few years — it’s time for an estate plan review.
Utah-Specific Considerations for Estate Plan Updates
Utah has its own probate code, trust code, and laws governing healthcare directives and powers of attorney. These laws change periodically, and even minor updates can affect how your plan is interpreted.
For example:
Utah probate rules may impact how property passes if your will or trust language is outdated.
Healthcare directive laws have been updated in recent years to combine living wills and medical powers of attorney into a single document.
Trust laws now offer more flexibility for trustee succession, creditor protection, and tax planning — but older trusts might not include those provisions.
A review with an experienced Utah estate planning attorney ensures your plan aligns with current law and continues to serve its intended purpose.
What We Review During an Estate Plan Update
At Cutler | Riley, our estate plan review and revision process is thorough and tailored to your unique situation. We typically review:
Wills and Revocable Trusts – Are your beneficiaries, guardians, and distributions still correct? (Learn more)
Powers of Attorney – Are your chosen agents still available and trustworthy? (Read about POAs)
Healthcare Directives – Do they reflect your current values and preferences? (Learn about directives)
Asset Titling and Beneficiary Designations – Are your accounts and property coordinated with your trust?
Advanced Planning Tools – Do you need to consider new strategies like a Utah DAPT or charitable trust?
We also assess whether your plan still meets your tax, asset protection, and legacy goals — and recommend updates if laws or family circumstances have changed.
The Risks of Not Updating Your Estate Plan
Failing to keep your estate plan current can have serious consequences. Outdated documents can:
Send assets to unintended recipients
Force your estate through unnecessary probate
Create confusion or conflict among heirs
Leave important decisions up to the courts
Appoint decision-makers who are no longer appropriate
Result in higher taxes or lost planning opportunities
These problems can often be prevented with a simple review and revision — usually much easier and more cost-effective than starting from scratch.
How We Help Utah Families Update Their Plans
Our process for updating your estate plan is straightforward:
Initial Review: We analyze your existing documents and identify any potential gaps or risks. We discuss changes in your life, assets, and goals since the original plan was created.
Recommendations: We propose updates to ensure your plan remains legally effective and aligned with your wishes.
Draft & Execute: We prepare updated documents and supervise proper signing and witnessing under Utah law.
Ongoing Support: We recommend check-ins every few years — or whenever major life events occur — to keep everything current.
Related Estate Planning Resources
Take the Next Step
Your life changes — your estate plan should too. Whether it’s a simple update or a complete overhaul, we’ll ensure your plan reflects your current wishes, complies with Utah law, and protects your family’s future.
Contact Cutler | Riley today to schedule a free estate plan review and make sure your plan is still doing exactly what you intend.