How often do wills need to be updated?

Having a will is crucial for ensuring your wishes are followed after you’re gone. But life throws curveballs, and what you wanted years ago might not reflect your current situation. This begs the question: how often should you update your will?

Why Update Your Will?

Your will is a vital document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after you pass away. Ideally, it reflects your current wishes and avoids confusion for your loved ones. However, life doesn’t always go according to plan. Here’s why updating your will is essential:

Life Events That Prompt an Update

• Family Changes: Major life events within your family often necessitate a will update. This includes marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or the death of a beneficiary or the executor named in your original will.
• Asset Fluctuations: Have you experienced significant changes in your wealth? Perhaps you’ve come into a substantial inheritance, started a successful business, or downsized your home. These fluctuations in assets require adjustments to your will to ensure accurate distribution.
• Beneficiary Shifts: Maybe your relationship with a beneficiary has changed, or you want to include someone new. Update your will to reflect these changes and ensure the execution of your wishes.
• Executor Shuffle: The person you originally appointed as the executor of your estate may no longer be the best fit. They might have passed away, moved away, or become incapacitated. Updating your will allows you to name a new, reliable executor.
• New State, New Rules: Moving to a new state can significantly impact your will’s validity. Estate laws differ across states, so your current will might not be enforceable in your new location. Updating your will ensures it complies with your new state’s legal requirements.
• Change of Heart: Sometimes, your feelings towards a beneficiary may evolve. You might want to remove someone previously included or add someone new. Updating your will allows you to reflect these changes and ensure your wishes are followed.

Benefits of Updating Your Will

Keeping your will current offers several advantages:

• Clear and Accurate Wishes: An updated will ensures your most recent wishes are clearly documented. This minimizes the risk of confusion or misinterpretations, preventing unnecessary disputes among your loved ones during a difficult time.
• Family Harmony: By keeping your will current, you can avoid potential conflicts within your family. A will that reflects your latest intentions helps prevent arguments about who receives what, promoting a smoother and more peaceful distribution of your assets.
• Adapting to Legal Shifts: Estate planning laws can change over time. Updating your will ensures it complies with the latest legal requirements in your state. This safeguards the validity of your wishes and avoids any legal challenges that could delay or complicate the distribution of your assets.

How to Update Your Will

Keeping your will current is crucial, but how do you go about it? Here are your options:

Seek Expert Help:

Consider consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney. Attorneys offer several benefits:

• Problem-Solving Expertise: Estate planning attorneys can help you navigate complex situations and find solutions that align with your wishes.
• Texas Law Compliance: Attorneys ensure your will adheres to the latest Texas estate planning laws. This prevents legal roadblocks and ensures your wishes are carried out smoothly.
• Personalized Guidance: Attorneys provide tailored advice based on your specific circumstances. They can answer your questions, address concerns, and guide you through the update process.

Alternatives to Consider

There are online will-building websites available. However, it’s important to be aware that these websites may not always contain the most recent legal information specific to your state. This could lead to issues with the validity of your will down the road.

Conclusion

Updating your will is a relatively simple process that can provide significant peace of mind. Ensure you document your wishes clearly and legally to protect your loved ones during difficult times actively. Planning for the future is essential, so investing in a meeting with an experienced estate planning attorney is a wise choice.

Call to Action

Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan to update your will and guarantee the smooth execution of your wishes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your specific needs.

Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan

If you have any questions about the material contained in today’s blog post, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed probate and estate planning attorneys can offer you a free of charge consultation six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are an excellent way for you to learn more about the world of estate planning and how the filing of a probate case or the need to draft a will can impact you and your family both in the short and long terms.

Ebook

If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “16 Steps to Help You Plan & Prepare for Your Texas Divorce”

If you want to know more about how to prepare, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “13 Dirty Tricks to Watch Out For in Your Texas Divorce, and How to Counter Them” Today!”

Get this FREE download about what you need to know before filing for divorce.

Other Articles you may be interested in:

1. How to Draft and File an Answer to a Texas Divorce – Free Downloadable Forms
2. Waivers – To sign or not to sign? The answer is don’t do it!
3. 6 things You Need to Know Before You File for Divorce in Texas
4. I Want a Texas Divorce but My Husband Doesn’t: What can I do?
5. Am I Married? – Marital Status in Texas
6. Can I sue my spouse’s mistress in Texas?
7. 6 Tips – On How to prepare for a Texas Divorce
8. Roadmap of Basic Divorce Procedure in Texas
9. Child Custody Basics in Texas
10. 6 Mistakes that can Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
11. 10 Quick Tips About Parental Visitation
12. Does it Matter who Files First in a Texas Divorce?

Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring, Texas Divorce Lawyer

The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s important to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.

Our divorce lawyers in Spring TX are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC handles Divorce cases in Spring, Texas, Cypress, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Bryan Joseph Fagan( Attorney )

Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.

Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.

His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.

Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.