How Marriage and Divorce Affect Your Will
A will written years ago may not reflect your life today. Here’s how marriage and divorce change what your will actually does.
Why Life Changes Make a New Will Necessary
It’s advisable to make a new will after any major life event, including marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. In North Carolina, divorce automatically revokes certain provisions in favor of a former spouse in an existing will, but relying on default law rather than updating your will directly can leave gaps or unintended results, especially with blended families or new assets.
Key Moments to Revisit Your Will
After marriage
- Add your new spouse as a beneficiary
- Update beneficiary designations on accounts
- Consider a new power of attorney and healthcare directive
After divorce
- Remove your former spouse as beneficiary and executor
- Update guardianship provisions for minor children
- Revisit any trusts naming your former spouse
Wills and Life Changes FAQs
Does divorce automatically remove my ex from my will?
North Carolina law revokes certain provisions in favor of a former spouse after divorce, but it’s still best to update your will directly to avoid ambiguity.
Do I need a whole new will, or can I just make changes?
Minor updates can sometimes be made through a codicil, but major life changes often justify drafting a new will entirely.
What about beneficiary designations on retirement accounts?
These pass outside your will, so they need to be updated separately with each account provider after marriage or divorce.
Related Reading
Time to Update Your Will?
Let’s make sure your estate plan reflects your life today, not years ago.