Creating a Last Will & Testament is an important first step in protecting your loved ones and your legacy—but it’s not something you should write once and forget about. Life changes quickly, and your will should evolve with you. Regularly reviewing and updating your will ensures it continues to reflect your current wishes, family dynamics, and financial situation.
Here’s how often you should update your will—and the key life moments that make a review essential.
When to Review Your Will
In general, you should review your will every three to five years to make sure everything still aligns with your intentions. But even more importantly, certain major life events should trigger an update sooner.
You should revisit your will when:
● You get married or divorced—marital status changes can affect how your estate is distributed.
● You have a child or grandchild—you’ll want to name guardians and add them as beneficiaries.
● A loved one passes away—if someone named in your will is deceased, updates are needed.
● You acquire or sell major assets—buying a home, starting a business, or inheriting property can change how you want to distribute your estate.
● You move to another state—estate laws vary by state, and your will may need revisions to stay valid.
● Your relationships change—whether you’ve grown closer to someone or distanced yourself, your will should always reflect your current wishes.
Why Updating Your Will Matters
Keeping your will current prevents confusion, conflict, and legal complications later. Outdated wills can cause:
● Disputes between beneficiaries if intentions aren’t clear.
● Unintended inheritances if an ex-spouse or estranged relative remains listed.
● Probate delays if information is incomplete or inaccurate.
Updating your will ensures your executor, beneficiaries, and loved ones are protected from these issues—and that your final wishes are carried out exactly as you intended.
How to Update Your Will
When it’s time to make changes, you have two main options:
1. Create a codicil—a simple legal amendment that adds to or modifies your existing will.
2. Write a new will—If you’re making significant changes, drafting a new will, which you can do with MyKeyDocs, is often easier and cleaner.
Once updated, make sure to:
● Sign and date your new will following your state’s witnessing requirements.
● Destroy old versions to avoid confusion.
● Inform your executor and loved ones where to find your most recent version.
Final Thoughts
Life changes—and your Last Will & Testament should too. By reviewing your will regularly and updating it after major milestones, you can ensure your estate plan always reflects your current life and values. It’s a small step that offers lasting peace of mind for you and the people who matter most. And with MyKeyDocs, you can create a new will in under 10 minutes!
