When to update your will
Knowing when to update your will is as important as writing it in the first place. Your will should grow and change with your life. If you live in Arizona, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, your documents should reflect your current family, your current assets, and your current wishes, not an old version of you.
When to create your first will
A last will and testament is your written instruction manual for what happens after you die. You should create a will as soon as you:
- Have minor children who would need a guardian.
- Own a home, condo, cabin, or other real estate.
- Build savings, retirement accounts, or life insurance with real value.
- Marry or enter a committed long term relationship.
- Care who receives your belongings or family heirlooms.
Once those pieces are in place, relying on default law becomes a real risk.
What happens if you do not update your will
If you never review your will, it can drift out of sync with your life. In that case, parts of your plan may fail. Old gifts may go to people you no longer speak with. A former in law might still appear in the document. If your will no longer works, a court in Arizona, Minnesota, or Wisconsin may need to fall back on intestacy rules to fill the gaps.
Resources on intestacy explain that dying without valid instructions triggers a default state plan. That plan favors relatives in a set order. It does not reflect blended families, unmarried partners, or close friends you would choose today.
Life events that should trigger a will update
You should think about when to update your will whenever you face a major life event. Key triggers include:
- Marriage, divorce, or legal separation.
- Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild.
- Death or disability of a beneficiary, guardian, or executor.
- A move into or out of Arizona, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
- Buying or selling major assets, such as a business or second home.
- Significant tax law changes that affect your estate plan.
Any time your answer to “who do I want to protect” or “what do I own” changes, you should review your will.
How often to review your will
Even without a big event, it is smart to review your will every three to five years. During that review, ask yourself three simple questions:
- Are my chosen guardians, executors, and backups still the right people.
- Do my gifts and percentages still fit my current finances and relationships.
- Do my powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and any trusts still match my will.
If you answer “no” to any of those, it is time to update your will and related documents.
Why professional help still matters
Guides from the American Bar Association on writing your will point out that a will must meet specific legal rules to remain valid. Those rules include proper signing, witnesses, and clear language. Online forms cannot review your full picture or apply Arizona, Minnesota, or Wisconsin law to your exact situation. A lawyer can also help you decide whether a short update, a full rewrite, or a combined will and trust plan makes the most sense.
Next steps to create or update your will
If you now see when to update your will, the next step is practical. Make a list of your key assets. Write down your preferred guardians. Note who you trust to handle paperwork and money after you die. Then turn that list into a clear, current will that matches your life today.
At Metropolitan Law Group, we help you decide whether you need a first will, an update, or a broader estate plan that may include a trust. You can book a complimentary 15-minute Discovery Call with a knowledgeable staff member to discuss your situation. Experienced staff, not attorneys, handle these calls, so you can decide whether a full planning meeting is the right next step.
To schedule your Discovery Call, visit our contact page or call our national number at 866-902-6148. You can also reach our Arizona office at 480-409-8200 or our Minnesota and Wisconsin office at 612-524-9414. Updating your will now helps your family avoid confusion and gives them clear guidance when they will need it most.
