An estate plan should change when your life changes
Estate Plan Review and Update in Columbiana, Alabama
An estate plan reflects a particular family, set of assets, and set of goals at the time it is signed. Years later, the documents may still be legally valid but no longer reflect the people, property, or decisions that matter now.
Carden Legal Services reviews estate plans whether they were prepared by this firm, another Alabama attorney, or an attorney in another state.
What a complete review covers
Wills and Codicils
Revocable trusts and amendments
Durable Powers of Attorney
Advance directives and healthcare proxies
HIPAA authorizations
Deeds and real estate ownership
Life insurance and retirement account beneficiary designations
Payable-on-death and transfer-on-death designations for financial accounts where applicable
Business ownership and succession documents, when relevant
Events that should trigger a review
● Marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or death.
● A move to Alabama from another state.
● A substantial inheritance or change in net worth.
● Purchase or sale of real estate.
● Formation, purchase, or sale of a business.
● A beneficiary or fiduciary who has died or is no longer appropriate.
● Significant changes in family relationships.
● Several years since the plan was last reviewed.
Blended families and marital agreements
Later-in-life marriages, children from prior relationships, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and separate-property goals require careful coordination.
The estate plan should address those relationships expressly rather than relying on assumptions.
Fees
Estate-plan reviews and updates are generally handled on a flat-fee basis once the existing documents and requested changes are reviewed. The fee depends on whether the matter requires a simple amendment, new documents, deed work, or a broader redesign.
Common Questions
Find straightforward answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive about handwritten wills, intestacy, and the probate process in Alabama. For personalized guidance, our team is ready to assist.
Is a will from another state valid in Alabama?
A will validly executed under applicable law may remain valid after a move, but validity and good planning are not the same thing. Alabama-specific probate, property, and fiduciary issues may justify an update.
Do I need a new will or just an amendment?
It depends on the number and significance of the changes. A limited codicil or trust amendment may be appropriate for a small change. A new will or trust restatement is often cleaner when revisions are extensive.
How often should I review my estate plan?
Review after a major life or property change. Even without a major event, a periodic review every few years helps confirm that the documents, beneficiary designations, and ownership structure still work together.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Carden Legal Services, LLC serves clients in the following Alabama locations: Birmingham, Alabaster, Helena, Pelham, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Chilton County, Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, Wetumpka, Tuskegee, Selma, Troy, Greenville, Autauga County, Montgomery County, Elmore County, Tri-County Region, River Region, Central Alabama, Alabama statewide.