Estate Planning Awareness Week 2026 | October 25 | Day 7 of 8

Love Them Enough to Have a Plan. Eight Days. Eight Conversations That Matter.

You’re organized. You’re responsible. You’ve worked hard to build a good life for your family.

But when was the last time you reviewed your estate plan?

Some of the biggest estate planning mistakes aren’t made by people who fail to plan. They’re made by people who think they’re already protected.

Here are five common mistakes Arizona families should avoid.

Mistake #1: Creating a Trust but Never Funding It

Signing a Revocable Living Trust doesn’t automatically place your assets into it.

If your home, financial accounts, or other assets aren’t properly coordinated with your trust, your family may still face probate or other complications.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Update Beneficiaries

Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other beneficiary-designated assets may pass directly to the individuals named on those accounts—even when your Will or Trust says something different.

An outdated beneficiary designation can create unintended consequences.

Mistake #3: Assuming Your Spouse Can Handle Everything

Marriage doesn’t automatically give your spouse unrestricted authority to manage every financial account or make every legal decision if you become incapacitated.

Proper Powers of Attorney and medical directives are essential components of many estate plans.

Mistake #4: Naming the Wrong Person to Be in Charge

Selecting a Trustee, Personal Representative, or Agent under Power of Attorney shouldn’t be based solely on age or birth order.

Consider trustworthiness, availability, financial responsibility, family relationships, and willingness to serve. In some cases, naming professionals and not family or friends can be the best strategy.

Mistake #5: Treating Estate Planning as a One-Time Event

Your estate plan should evolve as your life changes.

Marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in financial circumstances, and changes in the law may all justify reviewing your documents.

An estate plan that was perfect ten years ago may no longer accomplish your goals today.

When Should You Review Your Arizona Estate Plan?

A review every three to five years, or sooner after a significant life event, is a useful general guideline.

This article is Day 7 of our Estate Planning Awareness Week 2026 series, October 19–26: Eight Days. Eight Conversations That Matter.

At Bivens & Associates, P.L.L.C., we help Arizona families identify potential planning gaps and make informed decisions about protecting their loved ones.

Don’t wait for your family to discover a mistake when it’s too late to fix it.

Contact our office at 480-922-1010 or info@bivenslaw.com to schedule an estate planning review consultation.

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice regarding any specific situation. Laws and individual circumstances vary, and the information presented may not apply to your particular circumstances. Reading this article does not establish an attorney-client relationship with Bivens & Associates, P.L.L.C. We encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney regarding your individual legal needs before taking action based on this information.