A legal document outlining the distribution of assets upon an individual’s death requires review following the dissolution of a marriage. Most jurisdictions have laws impacting the validity of testamentary provisions made to a former spouse. These laws generally revoke any bequest to the ex-spouse named in the document as if that individual had predeceased the testator.
Properly updating estate planning documentation following a marital split is vital to ensure assets are distributed according to current intentions and to prevent unintended beneficiaries from receiving assets. Ignoring this step can result in legal complexities, potential disputes among heirs, and a distribution that contradicts the testator’s wishes at the time of death. Historically, the lack of updated documentation has led to lengthy and costly court battles.