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Is Your Will Up to Date? The Importance of Regular Review and Revisions

Posted by Joel Beck | Jan 26, 2025 | 0 Comments

Life never stops changing—you've welcomed a new grandchild, purchased a home, or experienced the loss of a loved one. These moments may impact your will's effectiveness. Keeping your will up to date ensures your wishes are honored, providing clarity and peace of mind for your family.

Why It's Time to Review Your Will

Certain life events signal it's time to review your will. Marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child can change how you want your estate handled. Changes in your assets, such as an inheritance or selling a business, may also need to be reflected in your will.

Moving to or from Georgia often brings different legal requirements, and updates to your charitable giving goals are another reason to revise. Georgia laws also have strict requirements for will updates, so staying current helps avoid complications. Regular reviews ensure your will remains valid and legally enforceable, safeguarding your plans for the future.

How Often Should You Review Your Will?

A good rule of thumb is for you to review each of your estate planning documents yourself annually, and then have a check-up with your estate planning lawyer every 3 years, or sooner in the event of a major life event. Reviewing your estate plan regularly ensures it reflects your current wishes, addresses changes in your life as well as changes in the law, and can help prevent unnecessary disputes among loved ones. With routine reviews, you can ensure your estate plan remains aligned with your goals and priorities, no matter how life evolves.

What Are the Best Ways to Update Your Will?

The clearest way to update your will is to create a new one. Starting fresh helps avoid confusion and keeps your intentions clear. For smaller updates, you can consider a codicil, which acts as an official amendment to your will. Whichever method you choose, it's essential to ensure your updates are legally valid in Georgia. You cannot simply mark through a provision of your will and write in something new.  That may invalidate the entirety of the will.

Let Peach State Wills & Trusts Help You

At Peach State Wills & Trusts, we make estate planning simple and approachable for Georgia families. If you're ready to review your will, call us at 678-344-5342 or visit our website. If you have questions, you can also download our free guide here—no strings attached. Taking the first step today can provide peace of mind for years to come.

About the Author

Joel Beck

Joel Beck founded The Beck Law Firm, LLC in 2007. His firm focused on business law and estate planning needs of clients, two areas that he was drawn to based upon personal and business experiences in his life, including a ten-year career at NASD (now known as FINRA).

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