Estate planning is one of the most important ways to protect your family, assets, and peace of mind — but it’s not something you do once and forget. Life changes, laws change, and your goals may change. That’s why every few years, it’s wise to conduct an estate planning audit (also called an estate plan review).

If you live in Chicago or the western suburbs — including Hinsdale, Western Springs, LaGrange, La Grange Park, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Naperville, Wheaton, or Glen Ellyn — reviewing your estate plan is one of the most valuable steps you can take to ensure your plan still reflects your wishes and complies with current laws.

Why Your Estate Plan May Need an Update

Many people are surprised to learn that even a “good” estate plan can become stale and outdated. Ask yourself:

• Have you gotten married, divorced, or had a child or grandchild?
• Have you lost a loved one or received an inheritance?
• Has your health or financial situation changed?
• Have you moved or purchased new real estate?
• Did you start a new business?
• Are the people you named as executor, trustee, or power of attorney still the best choices?

Even if none of these changes have occurred, older powers of attorney or trusts may no longer be accepted by financial institutions or may not align with current laws.

Use Our Free Estate Planning Self Check-Up

To help clients get started, we’ve created this simple Estate Planning Self Check-Up Checklist. It walks you through the essential parts of your plan, including:

• Life changes: Marriage, divorce, retirement, birth, or death in the family.
• Decision-makers: Verifying that your executor, trustee, and agents are still able and willing to serve.
• Beneficiaries: Ensuring your loved ones (and charitable organizations) are included as intended.
• Trust funding: Confirming that your assets and accounts are properly titled in the name of your trust.

This checklist is designed to help you spot red flags early — before they create unnecessary expense or conflict for your family later.

Schedule a Free Estate Planning Audit Consultation

If you notice anything missing, outdated, or unclear while reviewing your plan, don’t worry — that’s exactly why we are her. We offer a free, no-obligation estate planning consultation to review your documents, make sure your wishes are properly reflected, and make sure they reflect current laws.

During this meeting, we will:

• Identify potential gaps or inconsistencies in your current plan.
• Discuss ways to streamline your documents for easier administration.
• Ensure your assets are titled and funded correctly.
• Confirm that your loved ones are fully protected

Whether you live in Chicago, Hinsdale, Western Springs, LaGrange, La Grange Park, Downers Grove, or any nearby suburb, our goal is simple: to give you peace of mind knowing your plan truly works for you and your family.

Protect What Matters Most — Today

If it’s been more than a few years since you reviewed your estate plan — or if you’re not sure where your documents even are — this is the perfect time to take action. ** Contact our office today to schedule your free estate planning audit consultation.**