A will is a snapshot of your life when you signed it. Marriage, divorce, a new child, or a move to Colorado can leave that snapshot out of date. Updating it is usually simpler than starting over.
The short answer
Moments to reopen the file
- You marry, divorce, or your partner dies
- You have a child, adopt, or start raising a stepchild
- You move to Colorado, or you buy property here
- The guardian, personal representative, or a beneficiary can no longer serve
- Your assets, a business, or a beneficiary designation has changed
You do not need a new crisis. If you cannot remember what the will says, that is reason enough to read it again.
If you signed it in another state
A will that was valid where you signed it is often still valid in Colorado. Colorado still has its own witness and signature rules, and a move is a good time to confirm guardians, real estate, and who settles your estate. Bring the old document. We will tell you whether it still does the job.
How you update a will
Most families sign a new will rather than patching the old one. A new will revokes the prior one and keeps everything in one place. Do not mark up the signed original. That can create more questions than it answers.
What a will still does not cover
Retirement accounts, life insurance, and jointly owned property usually pass by beneficiary or title, not by the will. After you update the will, we review those designations so they still match what you intend.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change, and every family is different.