As you move through life, you’ll make new relationships, end existing obligations, and take on additional responsibilities. To ensure your will and other estate planning documents reflect your current wishes, you should have them reviewed by a professional after major milestones or changes in your circumstances. Below are a few common situations in which you should review your will.

4 Life Changes That Require Adjustments to Your Will

1. Acquiring Significant Assets

Whether you’ve won the lottery, received a sizable inheritance, or made a major purchase, you’ll want to ensure that those assets are included in your will. Otherwise, the probate court may distribute them according to your state’s intestacy laws, which do not take your personal wishes into account.

2. Divorce

In Hawaii and most other states, getting divorced automatically invalidates any parts of your will leaving assets to your former spouse. However, those belongings will be distributed to your family members as if you hadn’t written a will.

3. Marriage

While getting married means your spouse will automatically inherit some of your assets if you pass away, some situations are more complicated. For instance, if you have children from a previous marriage, you may need to rewrite your will to ensure they receive their fair share of your inheritance.

4. Birth of a Child

Adding a child to your family is one of the most important responsibilities in people’s lives. In your will, you may want to leave assets in trust for your children or appoint a guardian in case something happens to both parents.

Whether you’re preparing your will or want to make a change, the legal professionals at Wills and Trusts Hawaii in Honolulu will guide you through the will writing process to clearly express your wishes. You can rely on their team for detailed expertise and individualized treatment. Call their offices at (808) 792-8777 or visit their website today to schedule your first consultation.