10/01/2026
Most people sign their estate plan once and file it away. Life doesn't stand still, though, even when the paperwork does.
Adam Abramowitz, an attorney we work with, puts it well: what you wanted when you signed isn't necessarily what you want today, a year from now, or twenty years down the road.
A few things that quietly go out of date without anyone noticing:
– The guardian you picked for your kids back when they were young. Maybe that person isn't around anymore, or your thinking has simply evolved.
– Your power of attorney or medical directive. The person you named may no longer be the right person to make important financial or medical decisions on your behalf.
– Any significant life changes. If you've moved, gotten married, divorced, welcomed another child or grandchild, retired, or simply built more than you had when you signed your documents, any one of those is a good reason to take another look.
– The tax rules. The federal estate tax exemption, for example, increased from $13.99 million in 2025 to $15 million in 2026. Changes like this can affect how your estate is taxed and whether the strategies in your current plan still make sense.
You don't need to start from scratch. Just let us take a look with you.
Reach out to your CJM adviser whenever it's convenient. We'll walk through it together and tell you honestly whether anything needs updating.
