The Myth of “One and Done”
When most people write a will, they do it with good intentions—and a sense of relief. It feels like a box checked, a task completed. Something responsible adults do, especially after having kids. But here’s the truth that rarely gets said: writing a will isn’t a one-time task. It’s something that should grow and change with you.
Yet, too many people treat it as a static document, forgetting that the people, relationships, and responsibilities around them evolve with time.
A Story That Happens Too Often
A client once told me she had written her will shortly after her divorce. At the time, her son was still very young, so she appointed her brother—the child’s uncle—as executor. “He’s responsible,” she said. “He’ll make sure my son is taken care of if anything happens.”
Fifteen years passed. Her son had grown into a mature, independent young adult—capable of managing his own finances and making clear decisions. But her will? Still untouched. Her brother was still listed as the executor.
When I asked, “Why haven’t you updated it?” her response was the same as most people:
“I just never thought about it.”
When They’re Ready, Let Them Take Over
As parents, we do everything to raise our children to be strong, capable, and wise. But when it comes to their inheritance, some of us still treat them like the helpless toddlers we once knew.
But if your child is now an adult, able to handle responsibilities and manage money—why let someone else step in?
Appointing your adult child as executor is more than just paperwork.
It’s saying, “I trust you. You’ve grown. You’re ready.”
And if they’re not ready just yet? That’s okay. Just don’t forget to revisit your will when they are.
Your Will Should Grow With Your Life
Your assets change. Your relationships change. And the people you’re protecting? They change most of all.
That’s why your will should be a living document, something you revisit every few years, or after every major life event—divorce, marriage, children coming of age, a change in executor’s health or capacity.
Updating your will doesn’t mean your values have changed.
It just ensures that the people and intentions you care about are protected—accurately, timely, and fairly.
A Simple Call to Action
So here’s my advice:
If you wrote your will when your children were still young, and they’re now grown—take a moment to look at it again.
- Is your appointed executor still the best person today?
- Is your child ready to take over that role?
- Have your relationships or priorities changed?
Your will isn’t about death. It’s about dignity.
It’s about ensuring your voice is heard—even when you’re no longer around to speak.
And the people you love most?
They deserve a plan that reflects who they’ve become—not who they used to be.
For further details, you may make an appointment with our legal advisor here:
https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legal-expert
遗嘱，不是写了就结束的事，而是一份活着的责任
写好遗嘱，就万事大吉了吗？
很多人写完遗嘱后，心里会有一种“终于完成了”的轻松感。
尤其是当人生走到成家立业、有了孩子的阶段，写遗嘱，似乎成了负责任大人的标配动作。
但很少有人告诉你：写遗嘱，不是一锤定音，它应该随着你的生活不断更新。
遗憾的是，太多人把遗嘱当成了一份“永远不会动”的文件，忘记了：人会变，关系会变，生活也会变。
真实的故事，太常见了
我曾遇过一位客户，她在离婚后立下了遗嘱。那时候，孩子还小，她把自己的弟弟指定为遗嘱执行人。
“他会帮我照顾孩子。” 她说得很笃定。时间过了十五年。
她的儿子已经长大成人，有自己的收入，也开始管理自己的生活。
但她的遗嘱呢？一字未改，执行人依然是她的弟弟。
当我问她：“为什么不考虑改由你儿子自己管理？”
她愣了一下，轻声回答：“我根本没想过要改。”
孩子长大了，就该把主动权还给他们
作为父母，我们用尽全力把孩子养大，教他们独立、教他们负责。
那为什么在最后关头，我们还要让别人来代替他们管理属于自己的东西呢？如果孩子已经成年，有了基本的理财能力，那么，指定他们为新的遗嘱执行人，是一种信任，也是一次成长的礼物。当然，如果孩子还没准备好，也没关系。但你要记得，等他们准备好了，你也应该更新你的安排。
遗嘱，应该随着你的人生一起成长
你的资产在变化。
你的人际关系在变化。
你最想保护的人——也在成长。
所以你的遗嘱，也应该是一份活着的文件，而不是一次性完成就封存的文档。
每一次重大的人生变化，比如：
- 离婚或再婚
- 孩子成年
- 资产结构调整
- 执行人健康状况变化
你都应该拿出来重新检视一次。
更新遗嘱，不代表你的爱变了，而是代表——你在用更适合现在的方式，继续守护爱的人。
给正在阅读的你，一个简单的行动建议
如果你的遗嘱，是在孩子小时候立下的，现在，他们已经长大了,
请你，抽个时间重新看一看：
- 现在的执行人，还是最合适的人选吗？
- 你的孩子，现在已经能独立承担责任了吗？
- 你的关系、优先顺序，是否有了新的变化？
遗嘱，不是关于死亡。
遗嘱，是关于尊重。
是关于，即使有一天你不在了，你仍然能用温柔而坚定的方式，守护着你最在乎的人。
