Divorce changes nearly every aspect of your life, including your estate plan — but it's easy to overlook updating your legal documents once the process is final. ## Update Your Will If your will names your former spouse as a beneficiary or executor, it's important to update it as soon as possible after your divorce is finalized. In New York, divorce automatically revokes certain provisions naming a former spouse, but relying on default rules is risky — a new, clear will is the better approach. ## Change Beneficiary Designations Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death bank accounts pass according to their beneficiary designations — not your will. These must be updated separately. ## Revisit Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies If your former spouse was named as your agent for financial or medical decisions, these documents should be updated to name someone else you trust. ## Consider New Guardianship Provisions If you have minor children, you may want to revisit guardianship designations, particularly if your co-parenting arrangement has changed. ## Don't Delay After a divorce, updating your estate plan should be a priority — not an afterthought. Contact the Law Offices of Tracy R. Field PLLC to make sure your documents reflect your new circumstances.