Imagine for a moment that your closest friend passed away five years ago. The date still lingers in the back of your mind, and on this anniversary, it surfaced with unusual clarity. You found yourself replaying old conversations, inside jokes, the kind of memories that never really fade. Somewhere in that reflection, a detail clicked into place. One you had not thought about in years: A detail you had not thought about in years: updating your estate plan.

It was the last thing you imagined thinking about, but as it turned out, your late friend was still named as the executor of your Will. It was neither negligence nor intention. Life had simply kept moving. Work. Family. Responsibilities.

“Estate planning could always be revisited later,” you thought countless times over the years.

Moments like these are why estate plans must not be treated as static documents. Life does not stand still, and neither should a plan designed to protect what matters most to you. This is also where the concept of the “5 Ds” of estate planning comes into play. Accounting for the “5 Ds” of estate planning means recognizing the major life events that signal it is time to review, revise, or, in some cases, rethink an existing plan.

This article walks you through what the “5 Ds” are, why they matter, and how each one can impact an estate plan.

Why the “5 Ds” Matter in Estate Planning

Estate planning works best when it reflects real life as it exists today and not as it looked years ago. The “5 Ds” serve as practical checkpoints. They represent the most common life changes that affect decision-making authority, beneficiary designations, asset distribution, and long-term planning goals.

What makes these events especially important is that they often arrive quietly.

For instance, there is no official reminder to update a will after a move, a divorce, or the birth of a child.

Without deliberate review, outdated provisions can remain in place for years, sometimes with major consequences.

The “5 Ds” are not about reacting to a crisis. They are about staying aligned with reality. Each “D” marks a point at which assumptions built into an estate plan may no longer hold. Recognizing these moments and responding proactively can prevent confusion, conflict, and unintended consequences later.

Death

Death is often the event that first brings estate planning into focus, but it also plays a critical role long before a plan is ever needed. The passing of someone named in your estate documents—an executor, trustee, guardian, or beneficiary—can quietly undermine the effectiveness of an otherwise solid plan.

When a designated decision-maker passes away, the authority you intended to grant them does not always transfer to someone else. Courts may need to step in. Family members may disagree about next steps. Delays and added expenses can follow, all because a single name was never updated.

Death may also change an individual’s priorities. The lack of a spouse, sibling, or close friend often alters how individuals view responsibility, legacy, and protection. The beneficiary decisions that once seemed self-evident may no longer reflect current relationships and intentions.

An estate plan should evolve alongside those emotional and practical shifts. Addressing death in the planning process ensures continuity and clarity when families need both the most.

Divorce (or Marriage)

Marriage and divorce are two sides of the same coin for estate planning. Both transform legal rights, financial responsibilities, and personal relationships.

Marriage brings new beneficiaries, blended families, or joint assets. An estate plan drafted before marriage may not account for a spouse’s legal rights or the couple’s interests as a whole without updates.

Divorce may leave behind provisions that are no longer relevant, or, worse, may be in direct opposition to current intentions. Former spouses can still appear on the list of beneficiaries, agents, or decision-makers if the documents were not updated. Although some state laws may restrict certain rights after divorce, default rules are risky and rarely align with personal preferences.

Estate planning after divorce is about reclaiming control. It allows individuals to redefine who has authority, who receives assets, and how children or dependents are protected in the future.

Once relationship changes are accounted for, capacity and health often come into focus.

Disability or Decline

Estate plans are not only about what happens after death. They also address who can step in if someone is deemed unfit to manage their own affairs. Powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trust provisions all rely on thoughtful selections made while a person is still fully capable.

Failing to plan for disability can place enormous stress on families. Loved ones may be driven to seek court involvement to gain authority, even when everyone agrees on what should happen. Decisions become harder, slower, and more expensive at precisely the wrong time.

Reviewing an estate plan in light of aging, health changes, or new diagnoses ensures that decision-making authority rests with trusted individuals and that instructions are clear before they are needed.

As health issues arise, geography is often affected.

Distance (Moving)

A move is usually disruptive. New address. New routines. New community. However, in estate planning, relocation is also important. The laws governing estate planning can vary by state. Documents prepared in accordance with a particular state’s laws may not be valid in another state. Your estate plan may not function as intended when relocated. Variations in probate procedures, jurisdictional laws, and tax regulations may influence the results.

Distance is also a practical consideration in administering an estate. It may be difficult to name an executor or agent who is a hundred or thousands of miles away. Although technology has eased certain burdens, in most legal and logistical situations, physical presence remains important.

When an estate plan is changed after moving, you should make sure that it complies with local law to facilitate its administration. Ensure the plan works not only on paper but in practice.

Descendants (or Family Changes)

Family structure is rarely static. Children are born. Grandchildren arrive. Relationships evolve. Estrangements happen. Reconciliations occur. Each of these shifts can affect how an estate plan operates.

Inability to consider the next generation may lead to unintentional omissions. There are situations in which the planner wants assets to transfer in a particular way. But they do not. As a case in point, an inheritance for minor children can be particularly divisive. It should be based on present-day conditions and desires in the family and not on old-fashioned suppositions.

Family changes also include caregiving responsibilities, special needs considerations, and evolving financial realities. An estate plan should be flexible enough to accommodate these differences while still providing clear direction.

When a family grows or changes shape, an estate plan should grow with it.

Bonus “D”: Decade (Time)

Life does not always announce its changes with dramatic milestones. Sometimes, the most important shifts happen quietly and over time. Laws change. Financial situations evolve. Goals mature. What made sense a few years back may no longer reflect current realities, even if no single life event stands out.

That is why many estate planning professionals recommend revisiting a plan periodically, often every 3-5 years or at meaningful time intervals. A decade can pass quickly, and documents that once felt current may now rely on outdated assumptions or legal frameworks.

Regular assessments will enable corrections before emergencies arise. It is an opportunity to verify that the beneficiary designations make sense, that the people appointed to make the decisions are the right ones, and that the plan has not lost its purpose.

Together, the “5 Ds” along with the Bonus “D” underscore a simple truth: updating your estate plan is not a one-time task. It is an ongoing process that benefits from thoughtful attention.

That process is most effective when guided by experienced legal counsel.

Working with an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning documents carry legal weight, but their true value lies in how well they perform when needed most. Working with a practiced estate planning attorney helps ensure that updates are not only legally sound but strategically thoughtful.

A competent estate planning attorney can identify issues that are easy to overlook, especially after major life changes. They can explain how new laws affect existing plans, recommend adjustments based on evolving goals, and help anticipate challenges before they arise. Just as importantly, they provide perspective and help clients think through scenarios they may not have considered on their own.

The Nelson Law Group brings experience, clarity, and a client-focused approach to estate planning. By partnering with a well-informed legal team, you gain confidence that your plans reflect who you are today, not who you were years ago, and that your wishes will be carried out as intended.

Call Nelson Law Group Today!!

Having an estate planning attorney in your corner is imperative if your goals are to protect your family’s future for years to come. If you have any questions, contact our knowledgeable staff at Nelson Law Group, PC. Our staff is always available.

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