Your will might never need to be changed, but it’s good to know how to make an update if that’s required. Fortunately, it isn’t actually that difficult to change a will. A Washtenaw County wills attorney from our firm can help you make the necessary changes and ensure that everything is done according to state law.
When Should I Update My Will?
It can’t hurt to look over your will and other estate planning documents every year or so. There are also some big life events that could encourage you to update your will. You might want to think about making some edits after:
- A divorce
- A death in the family
- The birth of a new child or grandchild
- A falling out with a family member
- A change in your financial circumstances
- A remarriage
Any of these events could make you want to change your estate plan and who will receive which assets when you pass away.
Is It Better to Update My Will or Write a New One?
This can depend on what kind of changes you want to make and how many edits you have made already. If you are making a simple change, you may just want to use a codicil. This is essentially an addendum that can be added to a will. You need witnesses for it, just like a will, and then it can be added to the existing document.
If you plan to make any large changes, it might be a better idea to just write a new will entirely. It’s also a good idea to write a new will if you already have made a few edits using codicils. If you have too many of these addendums, it’s possible that one might get lost or that there could be misunderstandings when the will is read.
Once you have made a new will, you should probably destroy the old one. There’s no good reason to keep it, and its existence could just cause confusion later.
Do I Need a Lawyer’s Help?
It is a good idea to get a lawyer’s help here. A lawyer can help you make sure that your will or updated will is legally binding and that you have the proper witnesses for it. Our attorneys can also help you with other estate planning needs. If you might benefit from the use of a trust, for example, we could tell you that and help you use any other estate planning tools that would suit you well.
Meet With Our Estate Planning Lawyers
So if you need to update a will or you’re just getting started on an estate plan of your own, we want to hear from you. Contact Collis, Griffor & Hendra to schedule a consultation with our team. Our experienced estate planning lawyers are ready to help you and your family.
