An estate plan is a snapshot of your life at one moment. When your family changes, the plan should change too. For Palm Beach families, a marriage, a divorce, or a new child can quietly upend documents you thought were settled. Reviewing your plan after these milestones keeps it pointed at the people you love most today.
After You Marry
Marriage gives your new spouse rights under Florida law whether your documents mention them or not. Florida’s elective share statutes (Sections 732.2065 and following) entitle a surviving spouse to a portion of the estate, and a spouse left out of a will made before the marriage may have a claim as a pretermitted, or overlooked, spouse. Florida homestead rules under Article X, Section 4 also restrict how you can leave your primary residence when you have a spouse. After you marry, update your will or trust, revisit how you hold title to your Palm Beach home, and refresh your powers of attorney and health care documents to name your spouse if that is your wish.
After a Divorce
Florida law offers some protection here, but not a complete fix. Under the Florida Probate Code, a divorce generally voids provisions in your will that benefit your former spouse, treating them as if they had predeceased you. Similar rules can apply to certain beneficiary designations. Do not rely on that alone, though. Update your will, your trust, your power of attorney, and especially your beneficiary forms on life insurance and retirement accounts. An ex-spouse left on an old account is one of the most common and painful estate planning mistakes.
After a New Child or Grandchild
Welcoming a child or grandchild is a natural prompt to revisit your plan. Florida protects a child born after a will is signed as a pretermitted child, but you should not leave it to the default rules. Two priorities stand out:
- Name a guardian for minor children in your will, so a Palm Beach court is not left guessing who should raise them.
- Set up a trust so a minor does not inherit a lump sum outright at eighteen. A trust under Chapter 736 lets you decide how and when funds are used for education and support.
Beneficiary Designations Deserve Special Attention
Many of your largest assets, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, pass by beneficiary designation, not by your will. These override whatever your will says. After any major life event, pull each form and confirm it names the right people. This single habit prevents a surprising share of estate disputes.
When to Review
Beyond these milestones, a good rule of thumb is to revisit your plan every few years, or any time you move, buy property, or experience a major change in finances or health. Life in Palm Beach evolves, and your plan should keep pace.
Consult a Florida Attorney
After a marriage, divorce, or new addition to the family, a licensed Florida estate planning attorney can review your documents, explain how Florida law treats your new circumstances, and update your will, trust, and designations so your plan truly reflects the family you have now.
For more on our Florida practice, see our overview of estate planning in Palm Beach. Morgan Legal Group's affiliated New York office also handles New York probate and estate administration.