You drafted a will a few years ago, which is certainly an important step. However, the whole point of a will is that it reflects your current wishes and brings them to fruition should something happen to you.
Many people fall into the trap of drafting a will and thinking that their estate plan does not need to be updated. The truth is that life changes all the time and your will needs to reflect this. Outlined below are some factors that could mean it’s time to update your will.
A new addition to the family
Perhaps you’ve just had a child? Maybe you’ve become a grandparent for the first time? In any case, the addition of a child into the family alters your circumstances significantly. Your previous will makes no mention of the child because they didn’t exist at the time of writing. Generally, it’s relatively straightforward to adjust your will and include children so that you know they’ll be cared for in any event.
A change in location
Estate planning laws vary from state to state and this is something that you need to consider. Your will needs to adhere to state regulations. Not to mention that you may also want to include your new home in your will or other estate planning documents.
Any significant change in your life could mean that your will becomes outdated. If you feel that you need to make changes, seeking legal guidance will help ensure that you go through all of the appropriate channels.