It should go without saying that any significant changes in your personal life, such as a move to another state, may require you to look back at your estate planning documents. With this, you may have to decipher whether these documents are still relevant, and therefore whether a complete redo is needed. Follow along to find out whether you have to update your estate plan after making a move to another state and how a proficient Broward County estate lawyer at The Probate Lawyers can assist you in establishing these necessary changes.
Should I update my estate plan if I move to the state of Florida?
Your estate planning documents are likely valid across state lines. However, the issue may lie in whether these documents are still an accurate representation of your personal life after your move. More specific examples as to why you might consider updating your estate plan are as follows:
- You might consider updating your last will and testament if:
- Your designated executor is a nonresident who is not related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption; thereby making them ineligible to take on this responsibility.
- Your used language no longer aligns with the set of legal requisites for probate enforced in your new home state.
- You moved from a community property state to the common law state of Florida, or vice versa.
- You might consider updating your powers of attorney if:
- Your explicit orders no longer align with the set of legal requisites for durable, healthcare, and financial powers of attorney in your new home state.
- Your designated powers of attorney are nonresidents who no longer meet the required credentials in your new home state.
- You might consider updating your living trust if:
- You sold your home in your former home state and purchased a house in your new home state.
- You might consider updating your life insurance policy if:
- You changed your primary residential address to that of your new home state.
What other life changes might constitute an update in my estate plan?
Aside from moving to or from the state of Florida, you may have undergone other drastic life changes that could not have been anticipated upon the initial creation of your estate planning documents. For example, you may have undergone a divorce and have since remarried. Or, you may have welcomed new children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and/or stepgrandchildren into your family. In both cases, you may have to revisit your beneficiary designations.
In addition, you may want to rethink your designations for guardianship, executors, and powers of attorney. This is especially necessary if you no longer trust the individual you originally appointed; if they have since resigned in their willingness to take on this responsibility; or if they have unfortunately passed away before you.
All in all, to ensure a valid and enforceable estate plan, you must turn to a talented Broward County estate lawyer. So please get in touch with us at The Probate Lawyers as soon as you get a free chance.
