Quora Answer: What Events Trigger the Need for a Will?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “What events trigger the need for a will, or should a person wait until they grow old?”

If an event occurs, it might be too late to write that will.  Also, we cannot assume that we have the privilege of growing old.  This is why everyone is encouraged to have a will, and to update that will regularly.  Most of the time, the trigger for there to be a spate of will writing in a family is when there has been a death in the family, particularly a timely one.  I would suggest not waiting for tragedies and leaving your dearest and nearest in hardship.