Estate Planning
PDX Law Group helps Oregon families with estate planning and probate.
When to update your estate plan in Oregon
An estate plan is not a one-time task. It’s a document that should reflect your life — and your life changes.
If you have an existing will, trust, or power of attorney that was written more than a few years ago, there’s a good chance it needs a review. Here’s when to act.
Life changes that usually require an update
Marriage
If you got married after signing a will, Oregon law may treat your spouse as if they were partially omitted — but it’s not clean or guaranteed. A new plan that names your spouse clearly is the right move.
Divorce
Under Oregon law, a divorce automatically revokes gifts and fiduciary appointments to a former spouse in a will. But this doesn’t apply to trusts, beneficiary designations, or powers of attorney in the same way. After a divorce, assume your documents need a full review.
New child or grandchild
If a child is born or adopted after you sign a will, Oregon’s pretermitted heir rules may protect them — but the result may not match what you would have chosen. Name each child explicitly.
Death of a beneficiary or named fiduciary
If someone named in your documents — a beneficiary, personal representative, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney — has died, your plan needs to be updated.
Significant change in assets
Buying a home, starting a business, inheriting money, or significantly growing (or reducing) your estate can all change what structure makes sense.
Moving to or from Oregon
Estate planning documents are governed by state law. If you’ve moved, your documents should be reviewed for Oregon compliance — especially if you have real property.
Estrangement or relationship changes
If your relationship with a named beneficiary or fiduciary has changed significantly, your documents should reflect that.
What a review looks like
Bringing in existing documents for a review is straightforward. David Richardson will read what you have, flag anything that’s outdated, conflicting, or incomplete, and tell you what needs to change and why.
Many reviews result in minor amendments. Some require a full rewrite. Either way, you leave knowing your plan actually reflects your life.