One of the most common questions we hear is, “Do I really need to update my will if nothing big has changed?” The answer is often yes, because significant changes can be subtle legal shifts or family dynamics you haven’t fully considered.
Understanding exactly when to update your estate plan protects your family from unintended consequences and ensures your wishes are honored.
How Often Should You Review Your Will?
As a general rule, you should review your estate plan every three to five years. Even if your family situation has remained stable, tax laws and state regulations change frequently. A review ensures your documents are still compliant with current laws and provide the protections you intended when you created them.
Regular reviews also give you peace of mind that your plan still reflects your wishes as your life evolves naturally over time.
What Life Events Require an Immediate Will Update?
While the three-to-five-year rule provides a good baseline, certain life events act as immediate triggers. If any of the following happened recently, you need to update your plan now rather than waiting for your scheduled review.
Marital status changes like marriage, divorce, or remarriage require immediate attention. Each of these events changes your legal relationships and how assets are distributed under state law.
The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild means you need to update guardianship provisions and beneficiary designations. Similarly, the loss of a loved one requires updates if a named beneficiary or executor has passed away.
Financial changes also trigger the need for updates. Buying a new home, receiving an inheritance, or starting a business changes your asset picture significantly. These additions need to be incorporated into your estate plan to ensure proper distribution.
Health changes matter too. A diagnosis of a chronic illness for you or a spouse may require updates to your incapacity planning documents and healthcare directives.
Do You Need to Update Your Will If You Move to a New State?
Yes. Estate laws are state-specific, and a will drafted in one state may not be fully enforceable or self-proving in another. If you have relocated to Long Beach, a local attorney must review your documents to ensure they meet your new state’s probate requirements and take advantage of any beneficial state laws.
What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Will?
Failing to update your will can lead to partial intestacy, where the court distributes some assets according to state law rather than your wishes. This often results in litigation between family members and outcomes you never intended.
Taking the Next Step
If it has been more than five years, or if your life looks different today than it did when you signed your documents, it’s time for a review. We can help ensure your plan reflects your life as it is now, not as it was years ago.
Contact us at 310-782-6322 to schedule a comprehensive estate plan review. Mention this article when you call, and we’ll walk you through the update process to protect your family’s future.