3 Signs It’s Time to Update Your Will
Your will isn’t a one-and-done document. It’s a snapshot of your wishes at a moment in time, but life moves on. If it’s been a few years since you signed your will, or your family/finances look different today, a quick review can save your loved ones stress, expense, and conflict later.
Below are three clear signs Maryland families should look for, plus a quick checklist and next steps if you need changes.
1) Your family changed (marriage, divorce, new child or grandchild)
Major life events are the #1 reason to update your estate plan.
Marriage or re-marriage: Your existing will may not reflect your spouse’s inheritance, guardianship preferences, or coordinated planning (like trusts for blended families).
Divorce or separation: Many people intend to remove an ex as beneficiary, personal representative, or agent but forget to update the documents (and beneficiary designations).
New child or grandchild: If your will names guardians or leaves property outright to minors, consider a trust for minor beneficiaries so funds are managed by a trusted adult with clear instructions.
Death or incapacity of a named person: If a beneficiary or personal representative has passed away, or is no longer the right choice, you’ll want to revise the lineup and backups.
Watch out for: Conflicts between your will and your beneficiary designations (life insurance, retirement accounts). These designations generally control over your will. If you updated your will but not your accounts, your plan may not work as intended.
2) Your money (or property) changed in a meaningful way
When your financial picture moves, your plan should, too.
New home or rental property: Consider whether your will and titling support probate avoidance or whether a revocable living trust is now a better fit.
Business interests: If you started (or sold) a business, you may need succession instructions and trustee guidance.
Substantial increases or decreases in assets: Your previous plan may have simple gifts that no longer match your goals, or you may now want protective planning for beneficiaries (e.g., spendthrift protections, staged distributions).
Refinancing or retitling: How an asset is titled (sole name, jointly, or to a trust) affects whether it passes through probate.
Quick gut-check: If your balance sheet today looks different than it did when you signed your will, it’s time for a review.
3) It’s been 3–5 years (or laws/forms have changed)
Even if nothing dramatic happened, a periodic refresh keeps your plan clean and current.
Law and best-practice updates: Estate planning evolves. Modern documents typically include clearer fiduciary powers, digital assets language, and practical instructions for healthcare and end-of-life choices.
Outdated fiduciaries: Maybe your personal representative moved away, your trustee is too busy, or your child is finally old enough to serve.
Practicality & clarity: If your old will is vague, relies on people who are no longer available, or doesn’t reflect your values, it’s due for a tune-up.
Maryland families in Howard County and nearby areas generally do well reviewing their documents every 3–5 years, or sooner if a life event occurs.
Quick self-checklist (2 minutes)
If you answer yes to any of these, schedule a review:
Have you married, divorced, or added a child/grandchild?
Did someone you named (beneficiary, personal representative, guardian, or trustee) pass away, move, or become a poor fit?
Did you buy/sell a home, start a business, or inherit assets?
Are your retirement and life insurance beneficiary designations older than your will?
Has it been more than 3–5 years since you signed your will?
Do you want to protect a beneficiary from creditors, divorce, or impulse spending?
Do you want to avoid probate or simplify administration for your family?
What to bring to an update meeting
A copy of your current will (and any trust, POAs, and advance directive)
A simple list of assets and how they’re titled (bank/brokerage, real estate, retirement plans, life insurance)
Current beneficiary designations (or just the statements showing beneficiaries)
Names of your preferred personal representative, guardian(s), and trustee(s) + backups
Any special instructions (charitable gifts, heirlooms, pets, or specific goals like staged distributions)
How updates work (and how fast you can be done)
Review call (15–30 min): We confirm what’s changed and identify mismatches between your goals and current documents.
Recommendations: You’ll get clear options—simple amendment vs. a new will or a will + revocable trust if probate avoidance/protection is a goal.
Drafts to review: Plain-English summaries included.
Signing with notarization/witnesses: We’ll coordinate signing (in office or mobile).
Prefer to speak with someone directly? Call us at (410) 864-6395. We’re happy to help.
