When Should I Update or Modify My Will?

Attorney Image By: James Filippi
When Should I Update or Modify My Will? photo

If you already have a will, you understand the importance of ensuring everything is for your family in case the unexpected happens. Over time, things change, the size of your family, your assets, your place of residence, and your employment status, for example. If you’ve experienced some major life changes or if it’s been a while, it’s time for an estate plan review. It may be time to learn how to amend a will, update it, and the rules for estate planning California.

Filippi Law Firm P.C. is here to help you with estate planning Rocklin, CA. Making an estate plan and changing or updating it is crucial to successfully execute your estate, lessening time, stress, and cost for your family following your death.

When Should You Update or Modify Your Will?

There are several circumstances when it is universally advisable to update your planning for your estate in California or otherwise.

How to Update or Modify Your Will

Most often, a codicil is involved in the modification of your will. A codicil is an additional document that clarifies certain situations. They are easier than creating a new will and less expensive to do — think of it like adding a clarifying amendment versus rewriting an entire constitution. However, sometimes, it may still be necessary to rewrite the will for proper estate planning.
If you’re unsure about how to update a will, contact an estate attorney Rocklin for clarification. Your family and beneficiaries cannot afford for you to make a mistake on this.

How Often Should You Update or Modify Your Will?

Filippi Law Firm P.C. recommends updating your will whenever a major life event occurs (see above list) or every 4-5 years. This removes ambiguity about your intentions in the event of your death.

How Much Does It Cost to Update or Modify a Will?

Estate planning can be expensive, but in most cases, updating a will could only cost a few hundred dollars. In the case of a complex estate plan, it could cost thousands. Most updates should be simple and standard if you have a middle-class income and a nuclear family with less than ten people in it.

If you have an upper-class income or have to make many changes as you haven’t updated your will in a long time, your estate plan review could cost a bit more. Your Rocklin estate planning service is happy to provide an estimate.

Filippi Law Firm P.C., an estate attorney Rocklin, can help you conduct an estate plan review and figure out how to amend a will or how to update a will. Filippi Law can provide the most advisable course of action regarding what is best for your family and estate.

If you’ve just moved to Rocklin, California, it’s been a few years since you’ve reviewed your estate plan, or if you need to create or amend your will due to a life change or circumstance, give Filippi Law Firm P.C. a call. Ensure your family’s needs are met no matter what unfortunate circumstances could befall you. Please don’t leave them without a plan; leave them with an updated plan.

Filippi Law Firm, P.C., provides legal services in estate planning, probate, trust administration, trust litigation, and personal bankruptcy in the greater Sacramento area, with a focus in Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, and Granite Bay. Give us a call at (916) 333-7910 or fill out the contact form to get in touch with our office. Consultations are free, and they can be done over the phone, via Zoom, or in person at our office in Rocklin. Prepare for your future and work with the best estate planning attorneys today.

Satisfied Client Stories

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The team of Filippi Law are kind, sincere and thorough in their work. They helped us work through our trust administration of our family member, to create our own trust, and any other issues that came up along the way. We appreciate their time and their willingness to explain the process in the detail. They also helped us with needed referrals for anything else. We would highly recommend their insight to anyone.

Elizabeth G. | Sacramento, CA
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Jen helped us figure out the nuances of the different state laws to help with setting up the will and distribution to family members. She found issues with our previous will/trust that were corrected and offered updates to the new laws. We are very pleased with the final product and my mother feels that her wishes have been heard and met.

Susan S. | Roseville, CA
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I worked with a few different people throughout the trust distribution process and everyone was very helpful and pleasant to work with.

Nicole H. | Fort Collins, CO
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Best firm I’ve ever had represent me both personally and professionally. Jim and the team lead the way!

Brandon M. | Rocklin, CA
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We found the Filippi Law Firm in Yelp and we were so lucky to have found them. Both Jen and Jim were kind and patient, explaining the process and addressing our concerns with a cost we felt was appropriate for the quality of the work. At all times we felt supported in the process and it could not have gone better. If you need this kind of work do yourself a favor and reach out to these folks for help. You won’t regret it.

Ron G. | Sacramento, CA
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Jenn helped us with a trust account for my parents. She is very polite and thorough at doing her job she answered every question. My parents had and made them feel very welcome there. If we ever had to use the office again, we would .

Mark L. | California

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