Don’t be caught with an out of date will. Keep the 3 L’s of estate planning in mind.
You’ve finally finished creating your will with your attorney – congratulations! It’s a big undertaking. You’re probably thinking it’s time to stash it in a safe place and forget about it. As long as your attorney has a copy, you’re okay right?
Wrong.
It’s important to update your will at least every three to five years (sometimes more often as laws or circumstances change). Taking the time to update your will can ensure that your legacy gets passed on according to your wishes and can also eliminate family disputes upon death. If you’re not sure whether your will needs to be updated, it’s best to follow the 3 L’s of estate planning. Many of the changes any estate plan faces can be summed up by examining the following 3 things: life, law and learning.
Life
What has changed in your family, your health, your job status or your finances since your last will was created? Have you purchased property or a business? Have you sold a business or property? Have you purchased a new car, boat or art? A lot can happen in 3 to 5 years, especially as we age. A great example would be if a divorce or remarriage happens within the family. This can impact family members emotionally and can restructure family organization. A timely update to your will can help you avoid family conflict and lengthy court time for your family after you have passed away. Life changes warrant an updated will. (When it comes to life changes, don’t forget your beneficiary designations on things like life insurance!)
Law
What legal or tax changes have occurred in federal or state law since your will was drafted? Have your federal tax laws changed? Have your inheritance or death tax laws changed? These are all questions to consider as your will ages. Changes in federal or state law can directly impact your will. Changes in the law warrant an updated will.
Learning
What have you learned since your last will about your family and how they handle money? Perhaps you’ve learned that your beneficiaries mishandle their own money and tend to overspend. Or maybe they’ve gotten a big promotion at work and seem too busy to allot time to executing your will. What legal strategies do estate planning attorneys have now that may not have been available or common when you did your last will? Learning new things can warrant needing to update your will or trust.
If it has been some time since you last thought about your will, it’s probably time to consider an update. Life happens, laws change, and the most effective estate plans continue to evolve over time. If you have questions or concerns about your existing will, please feel free to call us at 217-726-9200 or email us at info@edwardsgroupllc.com with your questions. We will be more than happy to help you. If you’d like to learn more about our Dynasty Program, which helps Edwards Group clients make sure their plans are up to date and evolve over time, click here.