we are all familiar with the common analytic practice of "plan versus actual"

Here's a scenario for you:

1) You declare that you want to preserve capital for the next 2 years and pay off debt.
2) Your car develops a severe fault and needs replacement. The car is insured but the insurer attributes fault to lack of maintenance and tells you to get a lawyer if you want to pursue it.
3) You replace the car ($20K) and seek a lawyer who asks for $10K up front.

What should you do?

Should you accept that conditions have changed and that a new plan is needed?

Or do you stick rigidly to the old plan even if it makes it difficult to get your daughter to daycare or manage activities of daily life and even cuts into your ability to pursue income?

If you change your plan, does that mean you are a liar/incompetent/have no ideas/whatever or does it mean that you are a capable manager responding to changes in the real world?