When and How to Update Your Will

When to Update Your Will
Here are some circumstances that make it vital to update your will:

You want to name a different executor, trustee or guardian.
Your assets have significantly increased or decreased in value.
You've moved to another state.
Your situation or a beneficiary's situation has changed. Has your family changed because of marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death?
You want to include a gift to us in your will. Consider leaving us a percentage of your estate or the balance remaining after bequests are distributed to your loved ones.
The estate tax laws have changed. Check with your estate planning attorney to make sure your estate plan is up-to-date with the federal estate tax law changes effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Double Check
When changes occur in your life, remember to update your estate plans for assets not controlled by your will. For example, you may need to change beneficiary designations on your retirement plan assets or life insurance policies.

How to Update Your Will
Step 1: Get a copy of your current will.
Step 2: Mark the areas you'd like to change.
Step 3: Meet with your estate planning attorney to draft and prepare your new document.
Step 4: Consider discussing changes with us if they may affect Worcester State University.

Contact your estate planning attorney if you have additional questions on updating your will. If you are considering including a gift to us in your will, please contact Thomas McNamara at 508-929-8033 or tmcnamara@worcester.edu.

The official bequest language for Worcester State College is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Worcester State Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.

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