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Life event
Separation: what to review in your estate plan
A separation does not by itself cancel your documents. Your spouse may still be your agent, your beneficiary, and your executor. At the same time, changes made while a case is pending may be restricted, so this is a moment to coordinate carefully.
Worth reviewing
- Who is currently named in your will, powers of attorney, and beneficiary forms
- What your family law attorney or any court order allows you to change right now
- Securing copies of documents and account information
- A short-term plan for your children if something happens to you
Documents to look at first
For this life event, these are the documents most often affected. Your own list depends on your family and what you have already signed.
- Health care power of attorney and living will
- Financial power of attorney
- Beneficiary designations (retirement, insurance, bank accounts)
- Your will
- How your home and accounts are titled
When to act
Before making changes.
Related life events
Not sure where your plan stands?
A consultation is the place to talk through what has changed and what to update first. Nothing is finalized until we have talked.
This page is general information about Illinois law and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. See the Disclaimer. Last updated October 2026.