To ensure your assets are properly distributed after you pass away, you’ll need to meet with a local attorney and draw up a will. It’s also essential to keep it updated as time goes on so the document reflects your current life circumstances. Below are some common situations in which you should consider amending it.

When to Revise Your Will

1. Marriage 

Intestate succession laws vary from state to state, which means that getting married does not automatically ensure your spouse will inherit your assets when you die. In Nebraska, for example, if instructions are not left in a will, what a spouse receives will depend on if the deceased has living parents or descendants such as children or grandchildren. 

2. Divorce

If you get divorced, you probably won’t want your ex-spouse inheriting any of your assets or acting as your executor. The only way to ensure that this doesn’t happen is to contact a local attorney and update your will to reflect your change in marital status.

3. Birth of a Child

Adding new children or grandchildren to your will ensure that they receive the assets you want them to. You can also use your will to appoint a legal guardian to look after your children should you pass away when they are still young. If you don’t specify this yourself, a guardian will be chosen by the court.

4. Change of Location

Make modifications to your will if you move out of state, as laws regarding probate vary throughout the country. A local attorney will be able to tell you if your move warrants a revision to your estate planning documents.

5. Death of an Executor or Beneficiary 

If a beneficiary dies before you do, update your will so you can reassign their inheritance to other individuals. The same is true if the person you’ve named as executor passes away. In both cases, if you don’t modify these factors yourself, the court will end up making the decisions, which may not be in line with your wishes.
 

If your will is in need of updating—or if you haven’t yet created one—the local attorneys at Reagan, Melton, & Delaney LLP are eager to help. For more than 15 years, the firm has provided residents in Lincoln, Omaha, and the surrounding Nebraska counties with expert estate planning advice, in addition to legal representation in personal injury, adoption, and family law cases. To learn more about their practice areas, visit their website. Call (402) 476-6585 to set up a consultation at their Lincoln office or (402) 932-9494 to speak with an attorney at their Bellevue location.