New Chapters, New Plans: Why Major Life Events Should Trigger an Estate Plan Update

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of Close to Home, host Jon Clemence welcomes back estate planning attorney Nicole Sullivan to discuss how major life events—like marriage, divorce, childbirth, or the death of a loved one—should prompt a review and update of your estate plan. Nicole shares practical guidance on how property deeds, legal documents, and even verbal wishes can affect your legacy, and why staying proactive ensures your loved ones are cared for according to your intentions.

 

Key Timestamps:

00:01 – Show Introduction

01:04 – When to revisit an estate plan

02:26 – How divorce or death affects your estate documents

03:54 – Estate planning as a gift to your loved ones

04:23 – Commonly overlooked updates after major life changes

05:13 – Legal and financial risks of not updating your plan

06:39 – The impact of property ownership and deed language

08:28 – Importance of reviewing deeds during home purchases

09:24 – The biggest misconceptions about updating legal documents

10:20 – First steps to take if you haven’t updated your plan recently

 

About the Show:

Close to Home with Nicole Sullivan dives into everyday legal topics with warmth and clarity. Hosted by Jon Clemence, each episode brings real-life insight from attorney Nicole Sullivan to help Mississippi Gulf Coast residents navigate estate planning, real estate law, and more with confidence and compassion.