As a new year begins, it is worth revisiting whether your estate planning documents still reflect your circumstances and intentions. Wills and related arrangements often remain unchanged for years, even though family, financial and personal circumstances rarely stand still.
Relatively small changes can have significant legal consequences if they are not reflected in your estate planning. In some cases, outdated documents can operate in ways you did not intend, or fail to protect the people you most want to provide for.
Did any of your circumstances change in 2025?
It may be timely to review your arrangements if any of the following occurred during the past year:
- Changes to intended beneficiaries or family relationships
- Births of children or grandchildren, or changes in blended family arrangements
- Death of a spouse, beneficiary or appointed executor
- Marriage, separation or divorce, which can automatically affect parts of an existing Will
- New relationships that may alter future expectations
- Significant changes to assets, including property transactions, business changes, inheritances, superannuation or insurance
- Changes in your health or the health of someone you care for
If your circumstances have changed, your current Will may no longer achieve what you expect. In some cases, it may create uncertainty, disputes or unnecessary cost for your family at a time when clarity matters most.
This is not about making changes for the sake of it. It is about confirming that your documents still align with your wishes and your current situation. A short review now can prevent far more complex issues later.
If you would like to review your estate planning or discuss whether an update is appropriate, we can coordinate that discussion with our estate planning partners and help ensure your arrangements remain fit for purpose [email protected]