I generally recommend that my clients look at their estate planning documents every few years to make sure they are still appropriate, and update about every 10 as the law will change. What is also important is to keep in mind that there are other documents that need changing too.
If you divorce, your will, from that point forward, will be treated as if your ex died before you. This is not the same for beneficiary designations. It would be a shock to your children if they found out that your life insurance, or work pension, was left to your ex-spouse, simply because you forgot to update the beneficiary designation. Similarly, your spouse would be upset if it was left to your parents because you didn’t update it after you got married.
When life changes, change your documents.
