If you haven’t looked at your estate plan in a few years—or haven’t created one at all—2025 may be the perfect time to update your estate plan in California. From changes in real estate ownership and family dynamics to the growing importance of digital assets, there are many reasons to revisit your will, trust, and other legal documents this year. Making thoughtful updates now can reduce confusion later, protect your assets, and give your loved ones peace of mind. Here’s why it matters in 2025.
Why California Real Estate Deserves a Second Look in 2025
A properly prepared estate plan is typically designed to withstand fluctuations in real estate values. However, changes in how your property is owned or managed can still impact your planning. You may need to update your estate documents if you’ve:
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Bought or sold a home or rental property
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Refinanced or changed the property title
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Converted a residence into a rental or vice versa
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Forgotten to move your property into your trust
In 2025, market shifts are still a real factor. Recent reports suggest California home prices have stabilized in some regions after last year’s declines, while others remain uncertain. According to Norada Real Estate, California home prices have begun to decline in key regions, raising questions about long-term property values. If your estate plan includes strategies based on past valuations—or if you’re considering generational transfers, gifts, or sales of property—now is a good time to make sure those assumptions still hold.
Don’t Overlook Digital Assets
Today, many people store wealth, memories, and essential information online. If your estate plan doesn’t mention digital assets, you may be leaving your executor without the tools to handle:
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Email and social media accounts
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Banking and investment portals
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Cloud photo or document storage
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Cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges
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Subscription or online business accounts
California has adopted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which allows you to give legal authority to a trustee or executor to access digital information. But this authority must be specifically granted in your trust, will, or power of attorney.
Major Life Changes that Should Trigger and Update
Your estate plan should reflect your current life—not your past. It’s time to update your estate plan in California if any of the following apply:
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You’ve gotten married, divorced, or remarried
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You’ve had children or grandchildren
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A beneficiary has passed away or become estranged
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Your financial or health situation has changed
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You’ve moved to or from California
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You now care for a disabled or elderly family member
Updating your documents ensures your assets go where you intend and that the people you trust are in charge of decisions if something happens to you.
Future-Proofing Your Plan
An estate plan isn’t a one-time task—it’s a living set of instructions that should evolve with your circumstances. And with federal estate tax exemptions scheduled to change in 2026, 2025 is an especially important year to confirm your plan accounts for potential tax law changes. By updating your plan now, you can:
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Avoid legal confusion or probate delays
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Remove outdated beneficiaries or fiduciaries
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Reflect current wishes and relationships
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Protect your family from costly disputes
Work With Experienced Counsel
When it comes to estate planning, experience matters. A knowledgeable legal team can guide you through trust funding, digital asset clauses, California probate avoidance strategies, and tax-smart strategies the first time—efficiently and effectively. At the Law Offices of David Knecht, we bring decades of California estate planning experience to every client we serve.
Ready to Update Your Estate Plan in California?
Let 2025 be the year you take control of your legacy. Whether you’re updating a plan from years ago or starting from scratch, we’re here to help.
Contact the Law Offices of David Knecht at (707) 451-4502 to schedule a personalized consultation.
