How to Update Your Will After Marriage, Divorce, or Major Life Changes
Life is constantly changing — and your estate plan should change with it. Whether you’ve recently gotten married, gone through a divorce, welcomed a child, or experienced another major life event, it’s important to update your will to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.
At Angela Seager, Attorney in Austin, Texas, we help clients throughout Central Texas keep their estate plans current and effective. Here’s what you need to know about when and how to update your will.
Why Updating Your Will Is Essential
A will isn’t a one-time document. It should reflect your current relationships, financial situation, and goals. If it doesn’t, your estate may not be distributed the way you intend — leaving loved ones vulnerable to disputes or unexpected outcomes.
Key reasons to update your will include:
-
Marriage: Adding a new spouse as a beneficiary or updating provisions for stepchildren.
-
Divorce: Removing an ex-spouse, changing guardianship arrangements, or adjusting asset distribution.
-
Birth or Adoption of a Child: Ensuring guardianship and inheritance rights are clearly established.
-
Death of a Beneficiary or Executor: Naming replacements to avoid gaps.
-
Significant Financial Changes: Buying a home, selling a business, or receiving an inheritance.
-
Relocation: Moving to Texas or another state may trigger different estate planning laws.
Updating Your Will After Marriage
In Texas, marriage can significantly impact your estate plan due to community property laws. Without an updated will:
-
Your spouse may automatically inherit certain assets.
-
Stepchildren may be unintentionally left out.
-
Guardianship decisions for minor children may not reflect your current wishes.
Tip: After marriage, update your will to clearly spell out how property should be divided between your spouse, children, and any other loved ones.
Updating Your Will After Divorce
Divorce often requires the most urgent estate planning updates. Texas law may revoke certain provisions benefiting an ex-spouse, but not all. Failing to make changes can lead to:
-
An ex-spouse remaining as a named beneficiary.
-
Outdated guardianship or executor designations.
-
Family disputes during probate.
Action step: Review all estate planning documents — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations — immediately after a divorce.
Updating Your Will After Other Major Life Changes
Even outside of marriage and divorce, many life events require updates:
-
Children or Grandchildren: Add provisions for inheritance, guardianship, or trusts.
-
Health Changes: Update advance directives or powers of attorney.
-
New Business Ventures: Include succession plans.
-
Relocation to Austin, TX: Make sure your estate plan complies with Texas laws.
How to Legally Update Your Will in Texas
In Texas, you can update your will in two main ways:
-
Codicil: A legal amendment to your existing will. It must be signed and executed with the same formalities as the original will.
-
New Will: For significant life changes, it’s often better to draft a completely new will that revokes the prior version.
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney in Austin, Texas ensures that updates are legally valid and enforceable.
Conclusion
Updating your will after a marriage, divorce, or major life change is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and ensure your wishes are carried out. Don’t wait until it’s too late — an outdated estate plan can cause confusion, conflict, and unnecessary costs.
At Angela Seager, Attorney in Austin, Texas, we help clients review and revise their wills so they stay up to date with life’s changes. Contact us today for a consultation and take the next step in securing your family’s future.