When you begin the divorce process, you and your ex-spouse may prioritize certain matters over others, including dividing marital assets, working out a child custody arrangement, and figuring out support payments. While estate planning may not be at the top of your to-do list, revising your estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take during the divorce process. Doing so ensures the documents properly reflect your current situation. Below are some tips for amending your plan to align with your new wishes. 

How to Modify Your Estate Planning Documents After Getting Divorced

Revoke Your Will & Draft a New One

A good place to start is by revoking your old will and creating a new one. It’s not likely you will still want your ex-spouse to be left in charge of your estate in the event of death. Remove them as the executor and leave different instructions for the distribution of your assets to ensure they don’t end up inheriting your property.

Update Your Beneficiary Designations 

Keep in mind that a will won’t cover all of your valuable assets. Many of them, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, are passed down outside of a will based on who is named as the beneficiary on the paperwork. If your former spouse is the designated beneficiary on any of these documents, you will need to submit new paperwork naming who you wish to inherit them instead. 

Draft New Powers of Attorney 

Powers of attorney are documents that give someone the authority to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated. When beginning the estate planning process, it’s common for married couples to appoint one another as their power of attorney. If this is the case for you, it’s best to revoke these documents and draft new ones so your ex is not managing your healthcare and finances.

There are many factors to take into consideration when re-evaluating an estate plan after a divorce, so it’s best to enlist the assistance of an attorney. When you work with the Law Offices of Robert B. Liotta, Esq., in Westmoreland, PA, you can expect to receive expert counsel from a legal professional who offers over a decade of estate planning experience. Call (724) 334-9870 to schedule a consultation or visit his website for more information on how can simplify your estate planning efforts.