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Guide · Maintenance · Updated June 2026
How to Update Your Will After a Major Life Change
An out-of-date will can be as risky as no will at all. Here’s when and how to update yours in Michigan.
Your will should reflect your life as it is now — not as it was years ago. Certain events are clear signals it’s time to update.
Life events that should trigger an update
- Marriage, divorce, or remarriage.
- The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild.
- The death of a beneficiary, executor, or guardian you named.
- A major change in assets — buying a home, selling a business, an inheritance.
- A move to or from Michigan.
Codicil vs. a new will
Small changes can be made with a codicil (a legal amendment). For bigger changes, it’s usually cleaner to sign a new will that revokes the old one — avoiding confusion or conflicting documents.
Don’t forget the rest of your plan
When you update your will, review your powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trust, and beneficiary designations too, so everything stays consistent.
A quick review with a Michigan attorney keeps your plan valid and current — and gives your family peace of mind.
Time for a refresh?
Get matched with a Michigan attorney to update your plan — free, no obligation.