When Should I Update My Will? A Life‑Event Checklist (Marriage, Divorce, New Baby, Move)

This guide is best for you if:– You already have a basic will (or plan to make one soon)– Your finances and family situation are relatively straightforward– You want to know when you should come back and update things

You should strongly consider talking to a lawyer if:– You have complex assets, multiple properties, or a business– You’re in a blended family or expect disputes– You want advanced tax or trust planning, or you’re moving countries 

TLDR — When to update your will

Review and consider updating your will when you:

1. Get married or divorced
2. Have a child or grandchild
3. Buy or sell a home or major asset
4. Start or sell a business
5. Move to a new state
6. Have a major health change or diagnosis
7. Your relationships change (executors, guardians, beneficiaries)
8. It’s been 3–5 years since you last looked at it

HeirLight makes it easier to create a new, updated version of your will and related documents when life changes. You answer questions in plain language, then print and sign according to your state’s rules. HeirLight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Why wills aren’t “one and done”

A will is a snapshot of your wishes at a particular moment in time.

Life moves. People marry, divorce, move, have children, change jobs, fall out of touch, or reconcile. If your will doesn’t keep up, it can:

• Leave out new people you care about
• Benefit people you no longer intend to include
• Name executors or guardians who are no longer appropriate
• Cause confusion or conflict for your family

You don’t need to change your will every year. But you do want it to match your real life, not your life from ten years ago.

1. Marriage or divorce

Marriage

Getting married is one of the biggest triggers for updating a will.

Questions to ask:

• Do you now want your spouse to inherit some or all of your estate?
• Should your spouse be your executor or healthcare decision‑maker?
• Do you want to protect any separate property or prior commitments?

Some states give spouses certain rights automatically, but those laws may not match what you actually want. Updating your will lets you make that choice intentionally.

Divorce

Divorce is equally important. Many people forget to remove an ex‑spouse from:

• Their will
• Executor role
• Guardianship role or backup roles

After a divorce, revisit:

• Who should inherit
• Who should be executor
• Who should be guardian for any children

Even if state law cancels some gifts to ex‑spouses, you don’t want your family guessing or fighting about it.

2. New child or grandchild

New baby, adoption, fostering, or a new grandchild often changes everything.

You may need to:

• Add children or grandchildren as beneficiaries
• Name or update guardians
• Decide how you want assets divided between children
• Clarify any special situations (stepchildren, children from prior relationships)

If your will only mentions “children” in general and you now have more, it may still work, but you might want more specific instructions, especially in blended families.

3. Buying or selling a home or major asset

Large changes in what you own can justify a will update.

Examples:

• You bought a home or rental property
• You sold a home and now have different assets
• You inherited something significant (money, property, heirlooms)

Questions to ask:

• Does your will reflect your current biggest assets?
• Is your home clearly accounted for?
• Do you want specific property going to specific people?

You don’t have to list every single asset individually, but big changes are a good time to review.

4. Starting or selling a business

If you start a business, side hustle, or LLC, your estate may become more complex.

You may need to think about:

• Who should own or receive your share if you die
• Whether you want the business sold, wound down, or passed on
• Whether key documents (like operating agreements) mention what happens at death

If you sell a business, your asset mix changes—often significantly. That’s a good time to revisit who gets what and how.

5. Moving to a new state

States have different:

• Property rules
• Executor and witness requirements
• Default inheritance laws

Most of the time, a will validly signed in one state is still recognized in another, but:

• Some details may not work as intended
• Terms for executors, guardians, or witnesses may differ
• Property rules (especially for married couples and real estate) can change the picture

When you move states, it’s smart to:

• Review your existing will
• Consider updating it using your new state’s preferred format
• Check any state‑specific rules for community property or spousal rights (with a lawyer if things are complex)

6. Major health change or diagnosis

If you receive a serious diagnosis, your focus and priorities often sharpen.

You may want to:

• Clarify your will
• Update your advance healthcare directive
• Confirm your healthcare proxy and durable power of attorney
• Reconsider how and when beneficiaries receive assets

This isn’t just about money. It’s about giving your future self and your family clearer instructions during a difficult time.

7. Relationship changes

Sometimes the biggest changes are relational:

• You’re no longer close to someone named in your will
• A once‑trusted executor or guardian is no longer the right choice
• A new partner or friend has become central in your life
• A beneficiary has developed issues (addiction, money problems) that change how you want to leave assets

Your will should reflect your current trust map, not just your historical one.

8. It’s been 3–5 years

Even without big life events, it’s helpful to:

• Pull out your will every 3–5 years
• Read it start to finish once
• Ask: “If something happened to me today, would I still be happy with this?”

If the answer is “not really” or “I’m not sure,” it’s time to update.

How do you update a will?

There are two main approaches:

1. Write a new will
   • Often the simplest for basic estates
   • The new will states that it revokes all previous wills and codicils
2. Use a codicil (amendment)
   • A separate document that modifies part of your existing will
   • Must be signed and witnessed according to your state’s rules
   • Can get confusing if you do multiple codicils over time

For many people with simple estates, creating a fresh will that reflects your current wishes is the cleanest approach. For complex changes, or if you’re unsure, a lawyer can tell you which route makes more sense.

Update Your Will Easily with HeirLight

Life changes. Your will should too—but updating it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

HeirLight helps you:

• Create a new, updated will that reflects your current life
• Review key decisions about beneficiaries, executors, and guardians
• Align your will with your healthcare directive and power of attorney

You start for $0, answer clear questions, and then print and sign according to your state’s rules.

Important: HeirLight is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Our tools are educational and self‑help in nature. For complex estates, blended families, or international issues, you should consult a licensed attorney.

If your will still describes the “old you,” consider setting aside 20–30 minutes to bring it up to date. Future‑you—and the people you love—will be glad you did.