How do I keep beneficiaries current after a divorce or remarriage?

Treat beneficiary updates as a required step after any divorce or marriage, because outdated forms quietly override your will. After a divorce, review every retirement account, life insurance policy, annuity, and POD/TOD registration — an ex-spouse may still be named and could inherit by default. Some states automatically revoke an ex-spouse on certain accounts, but the rule doesn't cover everything (notably ERISA-governed 401(k)s, where the named beneficiary controls), so don't rely on it. After remarriage, decide deliberately how to balance a new spouse and children from a prior relationship — blended families are where unintended disinheritance happens most. Update your will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy at the same time so the new agent isn't an ex. Sit down once and audit every account in a single session; it's the cleanest way to be sure nothing was missed.