This will take you 6 minutes to read—and could prevent years of stress for your family.
Writing a will is a smart and responsible step. If you did that years ago, you’re ahead of the game. But here’s the truth: estate planning is not a one-time event. It’s a living strategy that needs to grow with your life.
Time passes. Circumstances change. And what made sense when you first wrote your will may no longer reflect your wishes, your family, or your finances.
If you’re wondering what to do next, here’s the answer: review and refresh your plan.
And there’s no better way to begin than by joining us for our July 8th Estate Planning Seminar in Inglewood—your opportunity to hear directly from one of California’s top estate attorneys. Reserve your seat now
Dig up your original will (or the most recent copy) and schedule a sit-down with an experienced estate planning attorney. During the review, your lawyer will walk through it section by section to ensure:
- It complies with current California laws
- It reflects your current goals
- There are no outdated references or missing provisions
Can’t find your original signed version? That’s a bigger issue than you might think—California probate courts require the original. Your attorney can help you resolve this, and also recommend secure places to store your estate documents going forward.
Your family, finances, and priorities have likely changed since you signed your will. Together with your attorney, review:
- Marriages, divorces, or remarriages
- Birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
- Deaths in the family
- Major health diagnoses or long-term care considerations
- Purchase or sale of significant property
California’s community property rules add another layer of complexity. If your marital status has changed—or if your property ownership has evolved—those details must be addressed to keep your plan legally sound.
Want to know how your life updates impact your current plan? Come to our July 8th seminar in Inglewood, where we break it all down.
Seats are filling up—reserve yours today!
Who did you name as executor? As guardians for your children? As power of attorney?
If those names no longer make sense—because people have moved away, passed away, or proven unreliable—your documents need to reflect that. The wrong person in a critical role can delay or derail the administration of your estate.
Your attorney can help you evaluate whether your choices are still wise, and if needed, make the necessary legal updates.
Your will should reflect what you actually own. Have you bought a new home? Opened new investment accounts? Started a business? Those updates matter.
If your current will refers to accounts or assets you’ve since closed or transferred, those references could create confusion—or worse, legal disputes.
With your lawyer’s help, you can clean up outdated provisions, add new ones, and make sure the final version works like a well-tuned engine.
Here’s what many people miss: your retirement accounts, life insurance, and most bank accounts don’t pass through your will. They go to whoever is named on the beneficiary form. And if that form is outdated, the result can be devastating.
Together with your estate attorney, review each beneficiary designation to make sure they match your plan. If your ex-spouse is still listed from years ago, now’s the time to fix it.
If your financial picture has grown more complex—or if you want to avoid probate altogether—a revocable living trust may be the next best step. It provides:
- Privacy (unlike a will, a trust is not public record)
- Flexibility for managing distributions
- A clear plan for incapacity
Your lawyer can help you decide if now is the right time to build on your original will with a comprehensive trust-based estate plan.
Your will was a great start. But now it’s time to go further. By reviewing your estate plan, you reduce the burden on your family, eliminate potential disputes, and protect your legacy.
You don’t have to do this alone. Join us on July 8th for our free Wills, Living Trusts & Asset Protection Seminar at the Collins Law Group in Inglewood.
You’ll learn how to:
- Protect what matters most
- Avoid California probate
- Create peace of mind for your family
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Secure your seat now »
https://collinslawgroup.com/webinar/wills-living-trusts-asset-protection-seminar-july-8/
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