A will is not a set-it-and-forget-it document. The people and circumstances it refers to change over time — sometimes dramatically. A will that accurately reflected your wishes five years ago may be significantly out of date today. Reviewing your will regularly isn't morbid; it's responsible.
After a major life event
Certain events should trigger an immediate review:
Marriage. In many states, marriage automatically revokes a prior will or affects how assets are distributed. If you made a will before marrying and haven't updated it, your spouse may receive less than you intended — or more than you intended, at the expense of other beneficiaries.
Divorce. Most states automatically revoke any provisions in favor of an ex-spouse after divorce, but not all. Don't rely on state law to clean this up for you. Review your will as soon as divorce proceedings begin.
Birth or adoption of a child. If you have children and your will doesn't name a guardian, update it immediately. If it does name a guardian, confirm that person is still the right choice. Also consider whether your beneficiary and inheritance structure accounts for the new child.
Death of a beneficiary or executor. If someone named in your will has died, your will may route assets in ways you didn't intend. Update it to name replacements.
Major change in assets. If you've bought a house, inherited significant assets, started a business, or experienced a substantial change in net worth, your estate plan may need to reflect that.
After moving to a different state
Wills made in one state are generally valid in another — but not always. Some states have specific execution requirements (number of witnesses, notarization) that differ from where you made your will. More importantly, your new state's laws around community property, spousal rights, and intestacy may interact with your will in ways you don't expect.
If you've moved states, have an attorney in your new state review your existing will, or simply make a new one.
When your relationship with a named person changes
Your executor, guardian, and beneficiaries are people you trust and care about at the time you write your will. Relationships change. A sibling you were close to ten years ago may now be estranged. A friend you named as executor may have moved, become ill, or simply not be the right choice anymore.
Review not just whether the people are still living, but whether they're still the right people for the roles you've given them.
Every three to five years, regardless
Even if nothing dramatic has changed, reviewing your will every few years is good practice. Small things accumulate: your children get older and their needs change, your assets shift, tax laws change, and your own priorities evolve.
A periodic review doesn't always mean changes — sometimes it just confirms that everything is still right. That confirmation is valuable in itself.
What doesn't require a new will
Not every change requires a full rewrite. Beneficiary designations on life insurance, IRAs, and 401(k)s are updated directly with the institution, not through your will. These designations override your will, so keep them current independently.
If you only need to change a specific provision — an executor, a guardian, a single bequest — a codicil (an amendment to a will) is sometimes sufficient. But in practice, making a fresh will is often simpler and avoids interpretation problems later.