How Often Should You Update Your Will

A will is not a one time document, since the wishes and circumstances behind it tend to shift over the years. Reviewing a will regularly, alongside after specific life events, keeps it aligned with what you actually want to happen to your estate.

Life events that should prompt a review

Certain events make a will review worth prioritising rather than leaving until a routine check. Marriage or forming a civil partnership automatically revokes an earlier will unless it was written in contemplation of that marriage or civil partnership, so newlyweds are often surprised to learn their existing will no longer applies at all. Divorce does not revoke a will in the same way, though any provision for a former spouse is usually treated as if they had died before you. This only applies once the divorce is final, so if you have separated but not yet divorced, your spouse could still inherit under your existing will. The birth of a child, buying a property, starting a business or the death of an executor or beneficiary named in your will are further reasons to look at the document again. So is moving abroad or buying property overseas, since a will made under English law may not deal with foreign assets in the way you expect.

How often to review even without a major change

Alongside these triggers, a general review every three to five years is a sensible habit, since asset values, tax rules and personal wishes can move gradually rather than through one obvious event. Our wills solicitors recommend treating a will review as routine maintenance rather than something reserved for a crisis.

What a review actually involves

A will review usually starts with checking that named executors, guardians and beneficiaries are still the right choices, followed by confirming that gifts and shares of the estate still reflect your wishes. It is also worth checking whether inheritance tax planning included in an earlier will still makes sense given current allowances and rules. Where a will was drafted some years ago, advice from our wills team can confirm whether the document still achieves what you intended or whether it needs updating.

Updating a will safely

Small changes are sometimes made using a codicil, a short additional document that amends specific parts of an existing will, though for anything beyond a minor change a new will is usually clearer and safer. Never write directly on an existing will or attach loose notes, since changes made after signing do not take effect unless they are properly signed and witnessed, and they can cause problems when the will is submitted for probate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting married cancel my old will?

Yes, marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes an earlier will unless that will was made in contemplation of it and says so expressly. Anyone getting married should treat writing a new will as part of their planning rather than an afterthought.

Does divorce cancel my will?

No, divorce does not revoke a will, though gifts to a former spouse are usually treated as though they had died before you. This only takes effect once the divorce is final. It is still worth reviewing the whole document after a divorce rather than relying on this default treatment.

How do I update just one part of my will?

A codicil can amend a small, specific part of an existing will without a full rewrite, though it must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as the original will. For anything more than a minor change, a new will is usually the clearer option.

How Roche Legal Can Help

If it has been a while since your will was last reviewed, book a discovery call and we will confirm whether it still reflects your wishes.

Roche Legal is a firm of solicitors in England and Wales, and the information on our website is based on the law here. We regularly advise on estates with assets, beneficiaries or family overseas, so please do get in touch if that's your situation.