This is not going to be an article full of legal advice about Wills for single parents, but I did think that it might be a good idea to share a little reminder. Most of us single parents know how important for us to have all of our legal documents and affairs in order and this includes having a Will. It is also important, however, to periodically revisit that Last Will and Testament and see if it needs to be updated, adjusted or changed.
I have to admit that I have had a few Wills over the years. I always thought that once I did one that would be it and I would be set for life but that has not been the case. Things change–going from being married to divorced was a big change that required a new Will. Additionally, when I started my writing business, it became necessary to make arrangements for any copyrights, publications, or writing work that might be part of my estate. As children get older, or if a single parent re-partners (whether through marriage, domestic partnership, etc.), or if you add additional children to your family through marriage, birth, or adoption–it is important to revisit the Will and make sure it reflects your life as it is and not as it was.
Make a date with yourself and your important legal documents, and include your legal representative if necessary to make changes and updates to your Last Will and Testament. Major life changes should signal the need to take a look at your “papers” to make sure they are still adequate and reflect what you want to happen if and when you should die. When I recently updated my own Will, I was surprised to find that even though the last one was done only three years ago, so much had changed that I needed to reflect.
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