Writing a will is not a one-time task. It's a document that reflects your life — your assets, your family, your wishes — and life changes. A will that was perfect when you wrote it five years ago may be outdated, incomplete, or even counterproductive today.
The 12 Life Events That Should Trigger a Will Review
1. You get married
Getting married is one of the most important triggers for updating your will. In most states, a will written before your marriage does not automatically include your new spouse. Depending on your state, your spouse may receive a statutory share regardless, but the specifics vary. Update your will immediately after getting married — and while you're at it, update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, which also don't automatically update on marriage.
2. You get divorced
Most states automatically revoke provisions benefiting an ex-spouse after divorce is finalized. But "automatically" doesn't mean "comprehensively." Your will may still name your ex-spouse as executor. And critically: beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other accounts are NOT automatically updated by divorce — you must update those separately. Divorce requires reviewing and updating everything.
3. You have a child or grandchild
A new child should be named in your will. If you don't name a child born after your will was executed, they may be entitled to a "pretermitted heir" share under state law — but that share may not be what you intended, and the process of claiming it adds legal complexity for your family. Also review: guardianship designations (do your current choices still make sense?), trust provisions for minors, and whether your asset distribution still reflects your intentions with the new family member in mind.
4. A beneficiary dies
If someone named in your will as a beneficiary dies before you, what happens to their share depends on whether your will has "anti-lapse" language and your state's default rules. In many cases, the bequest either lapses (falls back into the residuary estate) or, under anti-lapse statutes, passes to the deceased beneficiary's descendants. Neither outcome may be what you intended. Update your will to name alternate or contingent beneficiaries.
5. A named executor or trustee dies or becomes unable to serve
Your executor is the person who will administer your estate. If they've died, become seriously ill, or you've had a falling out, your will needs updating. Courts can appoint an administrator when no executor is available, but this adds cost, delay, and gives you no control over who manages your estate. Always name at least one backup executor.
6. You acquire or sell significant assets
A will that specifically bequeaths "my house at 123 Main Street" becomes a problem if you've sold that house. A will that distributes your estate "equally" among your children should be reviewed if one asset has grown disproportionately. If you've acquired a business, rental property, or other significant asset, consider whether your existing plan handles it appropriately — business interests in particular can require specific planning.
7. You move to a different state (or country)
Wills executed in one state are generally valid in another, but estate and inheritance tax rules vary by state. Some states have their own estate taxes with lower exemptions than the federal threshold. If you've moved from a community property state to a common law state (or vice versa), your property rights and what you can leave in a will may have changed. An estate planning attorney in your new state should review your documents.
8. Your financial situation changes significantly
A major increase in wealth — an inheritance, business sale, investment gains — may push your estate above federal or state estate tax exemption thresholds, requiring tax planning that wasn't needed before. Conversely, a significant decrease in assets may make certain trust structures unnecessary. Your plan should match your current financial reality.
9. Tax laws change
Federal estate tax law changes periodically — and significantly. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act roughly doubled the federal estate tax exemption in 2018; provisions affecting the exemption amount have continued to evolve. If your estate plan was designed around a specific tax environment that no longer exists, review it with an estate planning attorney.
10. Your relationship with a beneficiary changes
Sometimes the person you named as a beneficiary years ago is someone you'd no longer want to inherit from you — due to estrangement, addiction issues, legal problems, or simply changed circumstances. If a named beneficiary has developed special needs, a direct inheritance could disqualify them from government benefits (consider a special needs trust instead). Update your will to reflect your actual intentions.
11. You become a caregiver — or need one
If a family member's health has declined significantly, your caregiving role may affect what feels fair in how you distribute your estate. Conversely, if you're the one whose health is declining, this is exactly the time to ensure your documents are complete and current — including your will, healthcare proxy, power of attorney, and advance directive.
12. It's been more than 3–5 years
Even without a specific triggering event, a 3–5 year review is good practice. Laws change, your circumstances evolve, and what felt right five years ago may not reflect your current thinking. Sit down with your will, read it, and ask: does this still reflect what I want?
What to Check When You Review Your Will
- All named beneficiaries: Are they still living? Are they the right people?
- Your executor (and backup): Are they still willing and able to serve?
- Guardians for minor children: Are your choices still appropriate?
- Specific bequests: Do you still own the assets you've specifically bequeathed?
- Residuary distribution: Does the percentage split still make sense?
- Trust provisions: Are the ages and conditions you specified still appropriate?
- Beneficiary designations: Life insurance, retirement accounts, and TOD/POD accounts pass outside the will — check these separately
- Powers of attorney and healthcare proxy: Do these still name the right people?
How to Update Your Will
Minor changes can be made through a "codicil" — a formal amendment to your will. Major changes or a significantly outdated will are usually best addressed by drafting a new will entirely (which should explicitly revoke all prior wills).
DIY will services can work for simple situations. For anything involving blended families, significant assets, business interests, trusts, or tax planning, an estate planning attorney is worth the cost.
After updating your will: let your executor know where it's stored, review it together if appropriate, and make sure a trusted person can find it when needed.