Legal documents aren't "set it and forget it" — certain life events should reliably prompt a review, especially for solo agers whose named agents may be friends rather than lifelong family relationships.
Events that should trigger a review
- A named agent moves away, becomes ill, or the relationship changes
- A significant change in your own health
- A move to a new state (execution requirements vary, and an old document may not transfer cleanly)
- A meaningful change in assets (inheritance, sale of a home, new accounts)
Set a recurring reminder — even just every two to three years — to reread your documents and confirm they still reflect your actual wishes and relationships.