By Olen M. "Mac" Bailey, Jr.

(This article first appeared in the May 1998 issue of The Seniors Gazette, a senior newspaper published monthly in Memphis, Tennessee.)

Top 15 "Life Changing Events" After Which You Need To Up-Date Your Will

Most estate planning attorneys recommend that you review and, if necessary, up-date your Will after the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

1. Death of a Spouse;
2. Death of a Child, Grandchild or Other Beneficiary
3. Termination of Your Marriage By Divorce;
4. Divorce of a Child or Grandchild;
5. Birth of a Child or Grandchild;
6. Substantial Change in your or your spouse's Health;
7. Substantial Change in your child's, grandchild's or beneficiary's Health;
8. Material Increase or Decrease in the value of your assets;
9. Receipt of an inheritance;
10. Purchase of Life Insurance;
11. Sale, Gift or Loss of Asset Mentioned in Your Will;
12. Retirement by you or your spouse;
13. Death of an Executor, Trustee or Guardian named in your will;
14. Relocation to another State; and
15. Changes in the Estate or Inheritance Tax laws.

If one or more of these events have occurred since you signed your Last Will & Testament, then it is recommended that you contact an estate planning or elder law attorney and arrange for a date and time for he or she to review your Will to ensure that your Will expresses your desires and wishes.