Written by: Attorney Raymond Chandler
Having an estate plan and having a plan that's actually going to work are two different claims, and most people can't tell which one describes their situation until something forces the question. An audit isn't about whether the documents exist somewhere in a drawer. It's about checking, item by item, whether each piece still does what it's supposed to do. Here's the estate plan audit checklist we'd actually walk through.
Key takeaways
Confirm your will and any trust were properly executed, not just drafted, with all required signatures, witnesses, acknowledgments, or notarization completed where applicable .
If you have a trust, verify it's actually funded, meaning your accounts and property are titled to it, not just to you.
Check that beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance are current, because those designations generally control who receives those assets at death rather than the terms of your will .
Confirm your powers of attorney and healthcare directives are signed and executed correctly, current, and name people you'd still choose today.
Review guardian designations, successor trustees, and executors for anyone who's died, moved away, or simply isn't the right fit anymore.
Execution: was it actually finished?
Start with the most basic check. Was your will signed and witnessed by two competent adults? If you have a trust, was it signed and properly notarized? A will that was never properly executed generally will not be valid, and other estate-planning documents may also be ineffective if their applicable execution requirements were not satisfied .
Funding: does your trust actually own anything?
If a living trust is part of your plan, this is the item most likely to be incomplete. Check whether your home has actually been retitled with a new deed naming the trust. Check whether your bank and brokerage accounts show the trust as the account holder, not you personally. A trust that was signed years ago but never fully retitled with your assets isn't protecting what you think it is.
Beneficiary designations: do they match your current wishes?
Pull up your retirement accounts and life insurance policies and look at who's actually named. Check that beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance are current, because those designations generally control who receives those assets at death rather than the terms of your will. An outdated beneficiary designation, such as a sibling named before you had children or another former choice, can quietly control where a significant asset goes unless it has been changed or revoked by applicable law
Powers of attorney and healthcare directives: signed, current, and right
Confirm these documents exist and are signed with all required execution requirements. Then confirm the people named as your agents are still the people you'd choose today. A falling-out, a health change in the person you named, or simply reconsidering the choice over time are all reasons this section deserves attention even without a dramatic trigger.
Named roles: guardian, trustee, executor
Review every person named in a decision-making role across your documents: guardian for minor children, successor trustee, executor or personal representative, agent under your powers of attorney. Confirm each one is still alive, still willing, and still the right choice. This is the category most likely to quietly go stale, since there's rarely a single moment that reminds you to check.
Asset alignment: does your plan reflect what you actually own?
Compare your documents against your current asset picture. A property bought after your trust was signed needs to be added. A property sold needs to be removed. A new business, a significant inheritance, or a meaningful change in your overall net worth may call for a broader review of your strategy, not just an update to the paperwork.
State and life changes: does anything need a fresh look?
If you've moved to a new state, gotten married or divorced, had a child or grandchild, or lost someone named in your plan since the last review, this is exactly the kind of change that warrants a real conversation, not just a mental checkmark.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I audit my estate plan? Roughly every three to five years, plus immediately after any major life event: marriage, divorce, a new child, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state.
What's the most commonly missed item in an audit? Trust funding. Many people assume a signed trust automatically owns their assets, when retitling is a separate step that's easy to leave unfinished.
Can I audit my own plan without an attorney? You can check some basics yourself, but confirming execution was done correctly, and that documents actually accomplish what you intend legally, benefits from a professional review.
Does an audit always mean starting over? No. Most audits find a handful of specific items to update, a beneficiary designation, a newly acquired property, a named decision-maker who's no longer the right fit, rather than requiring a full rewrite.
If it's been a while since anyone actually checked your plan against this list, call Polaris Estate Planning & Elder Law for a conversation. We'll walk through it with you, item by item.
Ready to secure your family’s future or have a question about getting started? Call Polaris Estate Planning and Elder Law today.
St. Charles Office: (636) 757-3850
St. Louis County: (314) 763-2739
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