Why your will probably needs updating (and when to do it)

A will isn't a one-time document.

People treat their will like a box to check — write it, file it, forget it. But life keeps moving after you sign it, and your will doesn't update itself. Every major change in your life is a reason to look at it again.

The moments that actually matter.

Marriage or divorce.
Depending on your state, marriage can partially void an old will, and divorce doesn't automatically remove an ex-spouse from it. Both need a direct fix, not an assumption.

A new child — or grandchild.
If your will doesn't name them, they may not be protected the way you'd expect, even as a matter of course.

A move to a new state.
Estate laws vary. A will drafted correctly in one state can create confusion — or gaps — in another.

A significant change in assets.
A new business, an inheritance, a property sale — anything that changes what you're actually leaving behind should be reflected in how it's distributed.

"Outdated" doesn't mean invalid. That's what makes it risky.

An old will is still legally binding — it just may not reflect what you actually want anymore. Courts follow what's written, not what you meant.