What Hulk Hogan's Five Will Updates Teach Us

This article was co-authored by Alexandra Sepulveda, Trust & Will VP of Legal, and Kate Teal, Trust & Will Assistant General Counsel, Product. 

When WWE legend Hulk Hogan passed away in July 2025, his estate revealed something remarkable: he had updated his will five separate times—in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, and finally in July 2023, just one year before his death. 

The wrestling icon left his nearly $5 million estate to his son Nick Hogan, but the real lesson isn't about the money. It's about the discipline of treating your estate plan like an annual health checkup.

The Estate Planning Checkup That Prevented Family Strife

Hulk's daughter Brooke Hogan is notably absent from her father's will—but not because she was forgotten. She specifically requested to be removed years before his death. "I was scared of the fighting that would come after his death," Brooke explained. "I was sobbing. I just said, take me off everything, I don't want to be a part of it."

This painful but proactive decision, combined with Hulk's regular will updates, likely prevented exactly the kind of estate battle that tears families apart. By treating his estate plan as a living document that evolved with his family circumstances, Hulk ensured his final wishes reflected reality—not outdated relationships.

Why Your Estate Plan Needs Regular Checkups

Here's why Hulk's approach was smart:

1. Life Changes Constantly

Between 2016 and 2023, Hulk's family dynamics shifted dramatically. When Brooke married in June 2022, Hulk declined to walk her down the aisle and wasn't in attendance, telling her husband he "doesn't do weddings or funerals anymore." Each update to his will likely reflected these evolving relationships.

2. Regular Updates Prevent Outdated Plans

An estate plan from 2016 would have looked very different from one created in 2023. Relationships change, assets grow or shrink, and family priorities shift. Regular updates ensure your plan matches your current reality.

3. Peace of Mind Through Consistency

Hulk's wife Sky Daily is listed as a surviving spouse in the filing, showing careful consideration of spousal rights even as the bulk of the estate went to Nick. This level of detail comes from regular, thoughtful planning—not one-and-done documents.

The Trust & Will Advantage: Estate Planning Without the Hassle

Here's where most people get stuck: traditional estate planning makes updates expensive and complicated. Every change means scheduling appointments, paying attorney fees, and navigating complex legal processes. It's no wonder most people create a will once and never touch it again.

Trust & Will's membership model changes everything. Instead of treating estate planning like a one-time transaction, our platform recognizes what Hulk Hogan understood: your estate plan should evolve alongside your life.

Update Anytime, Anywhere

• Life changes? Update your will immediately, not months later when you can schedule an appointment.

• New assets? Add them to your plan without additional fees.

• Family dynamics shift? Modify beneficiaries as relationships evolve.

• Move to a new state? Ensure your documents comply with local laws.

No Per-Update Fees

Traditional estate planning charges for every modification. With Trust & Will's membership, you have unlimited peace of mind—make as many updates as your life requires without worrying about the cost.

Your Estate Planning Checkup Schedule

Treat your estate plan like preventive healthcare with these regular checkups:

Annual Reviews:

• Review beneficiaries and asset distribution

• Update contact information for executors and trustees

• Confirm your plan still reflects your values and priorities

Life Event Updates:

• Marriage, divorce, or remarriage

• Birth or adoption of children

• Death of beneficiaries or executors

• Significant changes in assets or income

• Major family conflicts or reconciliations

Legal Milestone Reviews:

• Moving to a new state

• Changes in tax laws

• New estate planning opportunities

• Business ownership changes

Relationship Reality Checks: Like Brooke Hogan's difficult but wise decision, sometimes the kindest thing you can do is address family dynamics honestly in your estate plan before it's too late.

The Bottom Line: Your Estate Plan Should Evolve with You

Your estate plan is not about creating the perfect document once—it's about maintaining a plan that grows with your life.

As a Trust & Will member, you can treat estate planning the way it should be treated: as an ongoing commitment to your family's future, not a one-time chore. Because the best estate plan isn't the one that sits in a drawer unchanged for decades—it's the one that evolves with your life and gives you peace of mind every step of the way.

Trust & Will makes estate planning simple so you can create a customized, state-specific plan from the comfort of your own home. Take our free quiz to discover which estate plan best fits your needs today, to secure your family’s future.

Is there a question here we didn’t answer? Browse more topics in our learn center, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page,  or chat with our member support!

Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.