One of the most important things to get done as you get older is to create a will and trust. In our last post about wills and trusts, we talked about the importance of hiring a lawyer to help you make sure that everything is done correctly. The last thing you want is for your will to be null and void because it wasn’t done properly, especially because you won’t be around to fix it.
How Do I Update My Will and Trust?
A will and trust helps to ensure that your family and loved ones are taken care of after you die. However, as time goes by, situations may change and you might find yourself wanting to change or update your will and trust. In today’s post from the will and trust lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC in Dallas, we’ll give you all of the information that you need to know about updating your will and trust. Our lawyers are the experts and want to make sure that your assets are distributing exactly as you intend them to be after you die. Call our Dallas law offices to schedule an appointment with our will and trust lawyers today.
Why Change Your Will
As life and situations change, your will and trust may change as well. Don’t worry, if the will and trust that you created with your lawyer in your 30’s no longer makes sense now that you are in your 60’s or 70’s, it is possible to make necessary changes and updates. Maybe one of your children has gotten married and changed their name. Maybe you’d like to add your grandchildren to your will and trust. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to take the time to make any necessary changes.
As a resident of Dallas, you’ll want to make sure that you are following the Texas law when it comes to changing your will and trust. Your will and trust lawyer from Robert J. Anderson PLLC can help. State laws can differ, and you want to make sure that at the end of the day, your will doesn’t become void because you made provisions in your own handwriting rather than typing them out.
Codicils
A codicil is a document that changes specific items on your existing will and trust. A codicil differs from an addendum because it changes items whereas an addendum adds them. You may want to use a codicil, for example, if one of your beneficiaries gets married and their name changes, or you’d like to replace them with someone else as a beneficiary.
The will and trust lawyers at our Dallas offices will walk you through adding a codicil as an additional document to your original will and trust. The codicil, in most cases, must be verified and signed in the same way that your will and trust was — witnesses and all.
Write a New Will
Another option when it comes to changing or updating your will and trust is to completely revoke your previous will and replace it with a brand new one. If you are making significant or a large number of changes to your original, this option can sometimes be easier. If you choose this option, it is almost imperative that you work with one of the will and trust lawyers from Robert J. Anderson PLLC in order to ensure that the original will is not honored after your death.
In order to help ensure that only your newly updated will is honored, you may want to state on your new will and trust that all previous wills have been revoked. Our Dallas lawyers can help you make sure that everything is done according to state laws so that there are no misunderstandings when it comes to interpreting your will and trust after you’re gone.
Call the Law Offices of Robert J. Anderson PLLC Today
Whether you’re changing or adding beneficiaries, adding property, or making any other changes to your will and trust, it’s important to consult a will and trust lawyer in order to make sure that everything is done properly and according to Texas state laws. The will and trust lawyers at Robert J. Anderson PLLC in Dallas are ready to help you make any necessary changes or updates, or help you draft a completely new will and trust if needed.
Don’t hesitate to make the necessary changes to your will and trust before it's too late. We want to help you make sure that your family and loved ones are taken care of after your death. Not taking the time to update and validate your will is a risk that nobody should be willing to take. Call the law offices of Robert J. Anderson PLLC in Dallas to speak with an experienced will and trust lawyer today.