Why updates matter
Accounts change, contacts move, and new documents get created. A vault that's updated regularly is more useful to your family when they need it. You don't have to do everything at once—small, scheduled reviews work well.
Recommended schedule
Once a year: Go through each category. Update phone numbers, account names, and any instructions that have changed. Add new entries for new accounts or important changes. Remove or archive anything that's no longer relevant.
After major life events: Marriage, divorce, new property, new accounts, a new will or power of attorney, or a change in who should have access. Update the affected entries and create a new backup so your family has the latest version.
When you add something new: Get in the habit of adding an entry (or updating one) whenever you set up a new account or important document. That way the vault stays in sync with your life.
Tip: After each update, create a new backup and store it with your previous one (or replace the old backup if you keep only one copy off-site). See Backing Up Your Vault for how to do it quickly.