Writing a Will is one of the most responsible things you can do for the people you love, but writing it is only the first step. An outdated Will creates a false sense of security, right up until the moment it becomes clear everything is not sorted. Research from 2024 found that 59% of UK parents either have no Will or one that is out of date, and probate disputes reaching court have risen 37% over the past decade.
How often should you review your Will?
The UK Government recommends reviewing your Will every five years as a minimum; many advisers suggest every three. Best practice is to review it whenever your life changes significantly, and on a regular schedule regardless. Often a review needs only a minor amendment (a codicil); sometimes a full rewrite is cleaner. A professional will tell you honestly which applies.
The life events that demand immediate action
Getting married or entering a civil partnership
This is the most critical trigger, and it catches most people by surprise: marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes any existing Will in England and Wales, unless the Will was made specifically "in contemplation of" that marriage. A carefully constructed Will is wiped out the moment the register is signed. If you have recently married, or are engaged, do not wait.
Divorce or separation
Divorce does not revoke your Will, but under the Wills Act your ex-spouse is treated as having died on the date of the decree absolute, so gifts to them fail and their executor appointment is voided, which can leave gaps. Separation is more treacherous: until the decree absolute, an estranged spouse may still inherit. Update your Will as soon as a separation begins.
Having children or grandchildren
A child born after your Will was written is not automatically included. A Will is also the only place to formally name a guardian for minor children, otherwise a court decides without your guidance. When children become adults, revisit who you have named as executor.
A significant change in your assets
Buying or selling property, an inheritance, starting or selling a business, or major pension changes can all affect whether your Will still works. Changing how you hold a property (joint tenants to tenants in common) interacts directly with your Will and should be reviewed alongside it.
A beneficiary, executor or guardian has died
If someone named has died and you have not named a substitute, a gift may lapse or probate may be delayed. Cases taking 12 months or more to resolve rose 518% between 2019 and 2024, and a missing executor is a significant contributor. Naming substitutes is one of the simplest protections.
A change in relationships, or moving house
Your Will should reflect your relationships as they are today. A house move is a natural prompt to check provisions about the family home still work, especially alongside a separation or second marriage.
A second marriage or blended family
Remarriage revokes the previous Will, and a blended family usually needs a trust-based approach that simple mirror Wills cannot provide. Stepchildren have no automatic inheritance rights and must be explicitly named.
The less obvious triggers
- Changes in legislation — tax and trust rules evolve; the Law Commission's 2025 "Modernising Wills Law" report signals more change ahead
- Digital assets — cryptocurrency, online accounts and photo libraries are often overlooked
- Pension nominations — these pass outside your Will and an outdated one could benefit an ex-spouse
- A Will in poor condition or that cannot be found — a damaged or missing Will can fail validity checks, the same as having none
Codicil or new Will?
A codicil is a legal amendment, suitable for a single simple change. For anything more significant, a new Will is almost always better; multiple codicils create confusion. The cost of a new Will is modest; the cost of a contested estate is not. A 2024 survey found 22% of UK residents would contest a loved one's Will.
What a review involves
It is straightforward, especially with someone who comes to you: checking beneficiaries, executors and guardians are still the right people; reviewing your assets and property ownership; considering family changes; checking pension and life-insurance nominations; and assessing any trust structure. Most reviews end in reassurance, a simple amendment, or a fresh Will, rarely more than one or two home appointments.
If it has been more than three years since you last reviewed your Will, or any of the events above apply, we would be glad to help, at home, in plain English, across North Somerset, Bristol and Bath.