7 Reasons to Review Your Will or Trust – by Barnabas Foundation

Click here to view the video on “7 Reasons to Review Your Will”

Maintaining a Plan That Reflects Your Values and Goals

Life changes – and your will should, too. If your situation, priorities or goals have evolved, or if it’s simply been a while since you last reviewed your legal documents, now is the time for a thorough update.

The Power of an Up-to-Date Will

Your will is a powerful tool. Through it, you proactively care for the needs of your loved ones and determine the next stewards of your God-given resources. It is also a lasting testimony to your family and to the world, declaring what matters most to you.

A completed, up-to-date will can help you:

• Minimize family disputes.
• Protect your loved ones from unnecessary taxes and fees.
• Establish guardianship for minor children.
• Provide for loved ones with special needs.
• Give in a profound way to ministries close to your heart.

On the other hand, an outdated—or non-existent—will leaves your loved ones vulnerable to uncertainty, conflict, wasted time and needless expenses in taxes and attorney fees. It also means missing the opportunity to bless and advance the causes you care deeply about.

[Click here to view the video on “7 Reasons to Review Your Will”]

Time to Review Your Will?

There are seven common reasons you may need to update your will, trust or other estate planning documents. Consider whether any of these apply to you:

1. People considerations

• Have you or your children recently married, remarried or divorced?
• Have you welcomed new family members through birth, adoption or marriage?
• Do you need to designate a trusted guardian for your children?
• Have you experienced the loss of a loved one?
• Has anyone in your family faced a life-altering injury or illness?
• Are you concerned about the financial maturity of your heirs?
• Is an executor, guardian or representative named in your plan no longer available or suitable to serve?

2. Charitable Relationships

• Does your will reflect your Christian values and priorities?
• Have you become more involved in your church or a particular ministry?
• Would you like to include a ministry you support as a beneficiary of your will?

3. Career

• Has your employer or income level changed?
• Do you have new business ventures?
• Have you recently retired or are you planning to retire soon?

4. Assets

• Has your estate significantly increased or decreased in value?
• Have you bought, sold or moved a business?
• Have you bought or sold property?
• Have the beneficiaries changed on your insurance policies or retirement accounts?

5. Location

• Have you—or anyone named in your will—moved to a new state or country?

6. Tax Law

• Have state or federal tax laws changed since you last reviewed your will?

7. Time

• Has it been more than three years since you last reviewed your will?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to revisit your plan!

Guidance You Can Trust

Through Barnabas Foundation, you have complimentary access to trusted planning support—all from a biblical perspective. A Barnabas Foundation planner will help you develop a plan that honors God, provides for your family, and supports the ministries that matter most to you.

📞 Call 888.448.3040 or 📧 email planning@BarnabasFoundation.org to learn more. Your connection to FCFI entitles you to free, flexible, and confidential advice from Christian professional estate, will, and trust planners who will fully engage with your Christian values and goals tailored to your specific family and estate situation.

Click here to view the video on “7 Reasons to Review Your Will”