The most straightforward reason to update an outdated estate plan is to include any desired changes in an individual’s family or to change any beneficiaries. An estate plan created some 20 years ago is likely to need updating for people who have both come and gone that the client would like to include or remove from the old plan. Estate Planning lawyers often find that their clients are surprised to review an old plan and see who it was they assigned for what. It could be worth it to review the plan and update it simply to include a new beneficiary or assign a new beneficiary if a prior one has passed away.