How Often Should You Update Your Will?

Brandon Harmony
5 days ago
4 min read

Direct Answer

There is no law requiring you to update your will every certain number of years. However, most people should review their will every three to five years and after any major life event. An outdated will can create unnecessary complications, even if it was perfectly drafted when it was signed.

Many people think estate planning is a one-time task.

They sign a will, place it in a safe location, and assume it will continue working exactly as intended for the rest of their lives.

In reality, life changes. Families grow, relationships evolve, assets change, and the people you trusted years ago may no longer be the right choices today. Reviewing your will periodically helps ensure your estate plan continues to reflect your wishes.

In Ohio, estate planning is not just about creating legal documents. It is about making sure those documents continue to work as your life changes. If you're trying to understand your options, you can learn more about Estate Planning in Ohio.

If you're trying to understand how this applies to your situation, you can schedule a free 10-15 minute call with an attorney here.

Ohio couple reviewing their will after a major life event

A Good Rule of Thumb Is Every Three to Five Years

Even if nothing significant has changed, reviewing your estate plan every three to five years is a good habit.

The review does not necessarily mean you'll need to make changes. Often, it simply confirms that your current plan still reflects your wishes.

Think of it like reviewing your insurance coverage. You may not need to make changes every time you look at it, but regular reviews help ensure your plan keeps pace with your life.

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Major Life Events Should Trigger an Immediate Review

Certain events should prompt you to review your will regardless of when it was last updated.

These include:

Marriage
Divorce
Birth or adoption of a child
Birth of grandchildren
Death of a beneficiary or executor
Purchasing or selling a home
Starting or selling a business
Receiving a significant inheritance
Retirement
A substantial change in your financial situation

Each of these events has the potential to affect how your estate should be distributed or who should carry out your wishes.

Don't Forget About Your Executor

Many people focus on beneficiaries but overlook the person responsible for administering their estate.

Ask yourself:

Is my executor still alive?
Are they still healthy enough to serve?
Do they still live nearby?
Do I still trust them to handle this responsibility?
Would they realistically want to serve?

If the answer to any of these questions has changed, it may be time to update your will.

Children Grow Up, and Families Change

Parents often create wills while their children are young. Years later, those children may be adults with families of their own.

Relationships also evolve. Someone who seemed like the obvious guardian, executor, or beneficiary years ago may no longer be the best choice today. Reviewing your will allows you to ensure it reflects your family's current circumstances rather than those that existed years ago.

Asset Changes Can Affect Your Plan

Your estate today may look very different than it did when you signed your will.

Perhaps you've:

Purchased investment property.
Started a successful business.
Sold valuable assets.
Opened new investment accounts.
Acquired sentimental family heirlooms.

As your estate changes, your planning should keep pace.

Updating Your Will Is Often Simpler Than People Expect

One reason people delay reviewing their will is that they assume the process will be expensive or time-consuming.

Often, that is not the case.

Sometimes only minor revisions are necessary. Other times, creating a new will provides a cleaner and more comprehensive solution. The appropriate approach depends on how much has changed since your documents were prepared.

If you're wondering whether changes are even possible, Can You Change Your Will After You Sign It? explains how wills can often be updated as life evolves.

An Outdated Will Can Lead to Unintended Results

An outdated will does not automatically become invalid. However, it may no longer accomplish what you intended.

For example:

Your executor may have passed away.
A beneficiary may no longer be living.
Your assets may have changed significantly.
Family relationships may look very different than when you signed your will.

These issues are often preventable with periodic reviews. If you're concerned about whether your existing will still satisfies Ohio law, What Makes a Will Invalid in Ohio?explains some of the legal issues that can arise.

Don't Assume a Will Controls Everything

Another common misconception is that updating a will automatically updates every aspect of an estate plan. Certain assets may pass outside your will altogether, depending on how they are owned or how beneficiary designations are structured.

That is one reason a comprehensive estate plan review often considers more than just the will itself.

Why These Questions Often Lead Families to Schedule Consultations

Many people researching this topic already have a will. They simply aren't sure whether it still reflects the people, assets, and priorities that matter most today.

Often, the answer is not creating an entirely new estate plan. It is taking the time to review an existing one and making thoughtful updates where appropriate.

Practical Checklist

It may be time to review your will if:

It has been more than five years since you last looked at it.
You have married or divorced.
Your family has grown.
Your executor or a beneficiary has died.
Your assets have changed significantly.
You bought or sold a business.
You are approaching retirement.
You simply cannot remember what your will says.

If any of these apply, scheduling an estate plan review is often a worthwhile next step.

Takeaway

A will should not be viewed as a document you sign once and forget.

Many Ohio families benefit from reviewing their estate plans every few years and after major life events to ensure their documents continue to reflect their wishes and provide clear guidance for the people they leave behind.