When should I change my will? If you are asking yourself this important question then that probably means something major has happened in your life and it is time to revisit things. Your will, trust and other estate planning instruments are something that you should be constantly updating to best reflect your current situation. Not a morbid process so many people think it is, keeping your estate planning documents up to date can actually benefit you in life and death. Dawes legal can help ensure both those things happen.
Here’s a look at some major life events that should inspire you to give Dawes Legal a call to update your will:
- Marriage: If you recently heard wedding bells ring, then you should also give your estate planning attorney a ring to update your will to ensure that your new spouse is included in things. If this marriage followed a divorce you will want to make sure that your will and other estate planning documents not only includes your new spouse to the extent you want, but also removes your old spouse from getting anything. Even if you have some type of prenuptial arrangement in place, you will also want to update your will, life insurance and other retirement documents.
- Children: Whether it is a new baby, new stepchildren following a marriage, adoption, grandchildren or some other child coming into your life in a major way—updating your will to provide for the children (even adult children) in your life is one of the most important things you can do.
- Financial: For better or for worse, if you have had major financial changes in your life you will want your will to reflect these changes and also work with your estate planning attorney to make sure that you are taking advantage of any tax breaks that may now impact you.
- Health: Take a pulse check on your current health and also those around you to determine if you need to update certain items in your will, such as a healthcare directive. The time to update or create these items is not when you are in the hospital; but rather then you are in a situation to calmly think about things and make plans and have important conversations.
At Dawes Legal, LLC, I get it – your life is very busy and updating your will is not really at the top of your to do list for one reason or another. But it is one of the most important legal documents you will ever create and something that should not ever be ignored for too long. If you are interested in putting together something for the first time or know that your will is seriously out of date, give me a call today to set up your initial consultation. My goal with all legal issues I handle is to make the process as quick and efficient as possible so you can go back to living your life! Let me help you check this major small “to do” off your list. Give me a call at (614) 733-9999.