Birth: Your probably will want to consider the needs of a new child or grandchild in planning your estate.

Deaths: The death of your spouse or another beneficiary can greatly affect your plan. So, to can the death of your executor, your children's guardian or your trustee.

Marriages: If you marry, you most certainly will want to review your estate plan. In Massachusetts, marriage will revoke a will unless it is made in contemplation of that marriage. When your children marry, you may want to review your plan.

Divorce: Most people review their estate plans if they divorce. A divorce in Massachusetts will revoke the provisions in a will or a trust referring to a former spouse. But many fail to consider the effects of a beneficiary’s divorce on the beneficiary’s inheritance. For example, if your will gives your son and his wife joint ownership in your home, think of the problem that could arise if they divorce and you don’t revise your will.

Move Out of State: If you move to a new state, your estate will be settled according to the laws of that state. Certain provisions of your estate plan that are valid in your current state of residence could be invalid under the laws of the new state. Also, having your executor and witnesses to your will residing in a state hundred or even thousands of miles away could hamper the administration and settlement of your estate.

Change in Estate Composition: A substantial increase or decrease in the value of your estate since you designed your estate plan may throw your plan out of kilter and make a revision necessary.

Business Change: Certain business changes signal time for an estate plan review. These changes include starting, buying or selling a business; entering into a buy-sell agreement that provides for the sale of your business interest when you die; changing your business’s legal form; and the death of a business partner or another important member of your firm.

Tax Law Changes: On average, tax law changes every couple of years. Any change in the law may make your estate plan outdated.