When Should You Update Your Will?
From the Wills and Probate Team at Phillips Solicitors
Making a Will is an important step, but it is not a once only responsibility. As your life changes, your Will should change with it to reflect new circumstances, needs, and wishes.
A Will that reflected your wishes several years ago may no longer achieve the outcome you intend today. Regular reviews help ensure that your estate passes to the people you choose and that the people appointed to act on your behalf remain appropriate.
Life Events That Should Prompt a Review
You should consider reviewing your Will if you:
- Get married or enter into a civil partnership.
- Separate or divorce.
- Have children or grandchildren.
- Experience a bereavement in the family.
- Buy, sell, or move home.
- Receive an inheritance.
- Acquire or dispose of significant assets.
- Experience changes in family relationships.
- Need to replace an Executor, Trustee or Guardian.
Marriage or civil partnership will normally revoke an existing Will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage or civil partnership, making a review particularly important.
Why Old Wills Can Cause Problems
A Will can remain legally valid but still be out of date.
For example, an older Will may:
- Appoint an Executor who is no longer suitable or willing to act.
- Leave gifts that no longer reflect your wishes.
- Fail to include important family members.
- Refer to assets that no longer exist.
- Fail to account for significant assets acquired since it was prepared.
Even where the Will remains valid, these issues can create practical difficulties and uncertainty for your loved ones.
Changing a Will Safely
Small changes should not simply be handwritten onto an existing Will.
Depending on the circumstances, changes should usually be made by:
- Preparing a formal codicil; or
- Preparing a new Will.
For significant changes, a new Will is often the clearer and safer option. Any changes must comply with the legal requirements for signing and witnessing. GOV.UK confirms that codicils must be executed in the same way as a Will.
Regular Reviews Matter
Even if your circumstances have not changed significantly, it is good practice to review your Will regularly.
GOV.UK recommends reviewing your Will every five years and following any major life event.
A regular review can help ensure that your Will continues to reflect your wishes and remains appropriate for your current circumstances.
How Phillips Solicitors Can Help
Our Wills & Probate team can review your existing Will and advise whether any changes are required.
We can:
- Review your current arrangements.
- Explain the implications of any proposed changes.
- Prepare codicils where appropriate.
- Draft replacement Wills when a fresh document would be preferable.
- Ensure your Will continues to reflect your wishes and personal circumstances.
We aim to provide clear, practical advice tailored to your individual needs.
Contact Us
If your circumstances have changed, or you are unsure whether your existing Will still reflects your wishes, contact Phillips Solicitors to arrange an appointment with our Wills & Probate team.
A simple review today can help avoid unnecessary problems for your loved ones tomorrow.
You can contact us online or call 01623 658556 (option 4).
Useful links
- GOV.UK – Making and Updating a Will: Official guidance on reviewing and updating a Will, including the effect of marriage and the use of codicils.
- STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners): Independent information about Wills, estate planning, and succession matters.
- The Law Society: Information about obtaining advice on preparing and updating Wills.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice on any individual case. The correct advice will depend on the facts, documents, family circumstances, and capacity position.