--- title: Updating Wills & Trusts description: UPDATING WILLS & TRUSTS image: https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/justice-and-attorney-concept-lawyer-meeting-and-c-2022-11-29-02-23-17-utc.jpg --- [**Phone:** (773) 983-9117](tel:773-983-9117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302, Glenview, IL 60025 [![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png)](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/home-page) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) ![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) ![](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/justice-and-attorney-concept-lawyer-meeting-and-c-2022-11-29-02-23-17-utc.jpg) # Updating Wills & Trusts ![](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/justice-and-attorney-concept-lawyer-meeting-and-c-2022-11-29-02-23-17-utc.jpg) Many people have existing wills and trusts which they have not updated for a long time. However, it is imperative to review an estate plan periodically to ensure that it is still appropriate. The laws periodically change as do the personal situations of every individual.  For example, powers of attorney for healthcare and property were amended on July 1, 2012 by the Illinois General Assembly.  These documents should be revised to reflect the recent changes in the law. Some personal situations where an estate plan should be updated include, but are not limited to the following: after moving to a new home, after the birth, death, or adoption of a child, after the death of a spouse or beneficiary, after a marriage, after a divorce, prior to surgery, after the diagnosis of a serious illness or after a great increase or decrease in one’s financial circumstances. The age or health of a beneficiary may also warrant updating your documents.  For example, if you are leaving your estate to minor children, you may not want them to receive all of your assets at once.  Also, if you are leaving assets to a disabled beneficiary, great caution must be exercised to ensure government benefits are not terminated as the result of an inheritance. It is extremely important to retain an attorney who concentrates in estate planning.  An estate plan should be customized to an individual’s circumstances and goals.  Unfortunately, many wills and trusts are written by attorneys who have an inadequate understanding of this area of law.  The consequence of having poorly drafted or obsolete documents can be devestating to clients and their beneficiaries.  Therefore, estate planning documents need to be reviewed on a regular basis. Tags: - [Uncategorized](https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/tag/uncategorized) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/updating-wills-trusts) [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/updating-wills-trusts&text=Updating%20Wills%20&%20Trusts) [Share on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/updating-wills-trusts&title=Updating%20Wills%20&%20Trusts) ## Leave a Comment ## Related Posts ![Are Your Powers of Attorney Outdated?](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/attorneys-are-counseling-2022-11-11-18-15-50-utc.jpg) April 24, 2012 ### Are Your Powers of Attorney Outdated? Powers of attorney for healthcare and property are some of the most important legal documents you can have to protect your interests. They are used to designate someone (an agent) ... [Read More](https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/are-your-powers-of-attorney-outdated) ![Living Revocable Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/trust-2021-09-24-03-31-57-utc-1.jpg) July 8, 2023 ### Living Revocable Trusts Many people often wonder if they need a trust or if a simple will is sufficient for their purposes. A living revocable trust can be extremely beneficial to many people if it is use... [Read More](https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/living-revocable-trusts) ![Wills & Trusts: Answers to Basic Questions](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/answering-questions-2021-09-24-04-01-17-utc.jpg) July 11, 2023 ### Wills & Trusts: Answers to Basic Questions Do you need a will or a trust? If you do not have a will and trust or have not updated your documents recently you need to consult with an attorney who concentrates in estate plann... [Read More](https://www.jkelaw.com/blog/wills-trusts-answers-to-basic-questions) ![logo-footer](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-footer.png) **Disclaimer:** None of the information on this website is legal advice. The information is for informational and educational purposes. 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