Estate Planning Review Checklist for Texas Residents
Many Texas families create estate planning documents and then never review them again.
But estate plans can become outdated quickly after:
marriage or divorce
new children
relocation
changes in health
asset changes
or changes in relationships.
A review checklist helps ensure your plan still works — and that it still protects your family the way you intended.
Why Estate Planning Review Matters
Estate planning review helps prevent:
✅ outdated executors or agents
✅ incorrect beneficiaries
✅ missing guardianship nominations
✅ uncoordinated assets
✅ documents that institutions refuse to accept
✅ unintended distribution outcomes
A review is often the easiest way to prevent future conflict.
Texas Estate Planning Review Checklist
Use this checklist as a general guide:
✅ 1) Confirm Your Core Documents Are Current
Will
Trust (if applicable)
Financial power of attorney
Medical power of attorney
Advance directives
✅ 2) Review Decision-Makers
Confirm that:
executors are still appropriate
trustees are still appropriate
guardians are still appropriate
alternate decision-makers are still appropriate
✅ 3) Confirm Beneficiary Designations
Review:
life insurance beneficiaries
retirement account beneficiaries
payable-on-death accounts
transfer-on-death accounts
Confirm these align with your estate plan.
✅ 4) Check Asset Titling and Ownership
Confirm:
real estate ownership
bank account titling
business ownership structure
and how property is titled under Texas law
✅ 5) Review Life Changes
Your plan should be reviewed after:
marriage/divorce
new children
major asset purchases
caregiving changes
relocation
health changes
✅ 6) Confirm Document Storage and Accessibility
A plan is only effective if:
your family can locate it
your executor knows where it is
and decision-makers can access it quickly
When to Schedule a Review
Many families benefit from reviewing their plan:
annually
or every 1–3 years
and always after major life events.
Ready to create or update your Texas estate plan?
Estate planning is one of the most meaningful ways to protect your family, your values, and your long-term stability. The right plan creates clarity — not confusion.
Helpful resources:
If you’re ready to start planning, schedule a consultation to build a personalized estate plan aligned with your goals.
