Creating a will is one of the most important things a person can do in their lives. However, many believe that once they create a will, the work is over. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. One of the most common concerns regarding wills in Pennsylvania is over whether the document will be valid by the time they need it. The following includes further information addressing this concern and what that means for your own documents.
Do they expire or become invalid?
When it comes to estate planning, the one thing you don’t have to worry about is the will expiring or becoming somehow invalid. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Even though a will doesn’t expire, it does become outdated. For example, if you created your will when your children were infants or minors, the document may need updating once they become adults. Here are a few more scenarios/actions that would warrant an update:
- Divorce
- Selling/purchasing of assets
- Tax law changes
Working with an attorney
As stated above, a will may become stale over time. However, if there are many areas to update or change, it is important to do so with an attorney’s aid. An attorney may be able to provide you with a list of items to include in the document and help you decide how each should be handled after you pass on. In addition, working with an attorney will help you avoid a probate situation following your death, thus saving your family time and money.
When choosing your attorney, it is important to ensure that they are both credible and experienced in the fields of estate planning. All that begins by vetting your options at the beginning.
