January 12, 2025
Life is full of changes—some exciting, some challenging. Whether you’re preparing to join your life with someone in marriage or navigating the end of a relationship through divorce, there are countless things to sort through. For newlyweds, there’s the excitement of combining households, possibly purchasing a home, and discussing shared financial goals. For divorcees, there’s the daunting task of dividing assets and adjusting to new realities.
Amid all this, estate planning might not seem like a priority. However, The Bellinger Law Office is here to tell you it should be at the top of your list. Throughout our 19 years of legal practice, we’ve found that a life change like marriage or divorce has a profound impact on your estate plan. In this post, we will explore how these milestones affect your estate in Indiana and provide guidance on how to protect your wishes and loved ones.
Marriage is a significant life event that can drastically alter the dynamics of your estate. For many newlyweds, spousal inheritance laws automatically come into play, which might impact how your assets are distributed.
Indiana’s laws of intestacy (when you die without a will) prioritize your spouse among other heirs. This means that, in the absence of a valid estate plan, your partner could receive a significant share of your estate—even more than other family members. Additionally, once married, you may accumulate shared property (e.g., real estate or retirement accounts), which may require adjustments to your current estate planning documents to reflect your joint ownership.
When you tie the knot, estate planning needs to cover both short- and long-term scenarios—especially if children or significant shared assets are involved.
The decisions you make now could save your family from confusion or distress in the future.
Divorce, while emotionally challenging, also has legal implications that ripple through almost every aspect of your life—including your estate plan. Most people don’t realize that many provisions in their existing estate documents become null and void after a divorce, particularly those involving a former spouse.
For example, Indiana law automatically revokes any provisions in favor of your ex-spouse in your will after divorce unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, beneficiary designations for retirement plans and insurance policies may not be updated automatically unless you take action. Without these changes, your assets may go to unintended recipients.
Once your divorce is finalized, you’ll need to systematically reassess your estate planning documents to reflect your new reality. Here are steps to get started:
Every choice you make will ensure that your estate mirrors your current priorities and protects your loved ones.
Marriage and divorce aren’t the only milestones that can shape your estate plan. Life is unpredictable, and periodic reviews of your estate are non-negotiable. For example:
At a minimum, review your estate plan every three to five years—or anytime major changes occur.
Whether you’re celebrating the start of a new chapter through marriage or navigating your way forward after a divorce, ensuring your estate plan is up-to-date is critical. An effective estate plan takes the guesswork out of life’s most important transitions, offering peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
The Bellinger Law Office has decades of experience helping clients make informed estate planning choices in Indiana. Our team works closely with married couples, divorcees, and families to create personalized plans that reflect their unique circumstances. If you’re ready to start or update your estate plan, reach out today for a consultation. Let us make your priorities ours.
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