When Should You Update Your Will? 7 Life Events That Trigger a Review

Making a will is one of the most responsible things you can do for your family. But many people make the mistake of treating it as a one-off task — something to tick off the list and never think about again.

The reality is that your will needs to keep pace with your life. As your circumstances change, your will may no longer reflect your wishes — and in some cases, it could become partially or entirely invalid.

Here are the seven life events that should prompt you to review and update your will.

1. Getting Married or Entering a Civil Partnership

This is the most important one to know: getting married automatically revokes any existing will in England and Wales. Many people are completely unaware of this, and it catches families out every year.

If you made a will before your wedding and did not make a new one afterwards, you are currently intestate — as if you had never made a will at all. The intestacy rules will apply to your estate, which may not match your intentions.

The same applies when entering a civil partnership. If you are planning a wedding or civil partnership ceremony in Kingston, Teddington, or anywhere else, making a new will should be near the top of your to-do list.

What about wills made "in contemplation of marriage"?

It is possible to draft a will that specifically states it is made in anticipation of your upcoming marriage to a named person. This type of will is not revoked by the marriage. Your will writer can advise you on whether this is the right approach for your situation.

2. Divorce or Separation

Divorce does not automatically revoke your will, but it does affect it. Under current law, once a decree absolute is granted, any gifts to your former spouse and their appointment as executor are treated as if they had died before you. The rest of your will remains in effect.

This can create unexpected results. For example, if you left everything to your spouse with your children as backup beneficiaries, the children would inherit — but that might not reflect what you actually want after the divorce.

If you are separated but not yet divorced, the situation is even more complicated. Your existing will remains fully valid, including any provisions for your estranged spouse. If you do not want them to inherit, you need to make a new will.

3. Having or Adopting Children

The birth or adoption of a child is a joyful occasion — and also a prompt to update your will. There are several things to consider:

• Guardianship — your will is the place to name the people you want to look after your children if both parents die. Without this, the courts decide.
• Trusts — you may want to set up a trust within your will to protect your children's inheritance until they reach a suitable age, rather than having them inherit everything at 18.
• Provision — you may want to adjust the shares of your estate to include all your children fairly.

Many families across Sunbury, Hampton, and Teddington have young children and have not yet thought about guardianship. It is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent.

4. Buying or Selling Property

Property is usually the most valuable asset in an estate, especially in London and Surrey where house prices are significant. If you buy your first home, sell a property, or change how a property is owned (from joint tenants to tenants in common, for example), your will should be reviewed.

This is particularly important for:

• Couples who own property as tenants in common — your share does not automatically pass to the other owner, so it must be covered in your will
• Buy-to-let landlords — rental properties need to be accounted for in your estate planning
• People who own property abroad — overseas property may be subject to different inheritance laws

5. A Change in Your Financial Situation

A significant change in your wealth — whether an increase or decrease — is a good reason to review your will. This includes:

• Receiving a large inheritance
• Starting or selling a business
• Taking on significant debt
• Changes to your pension or life insurance
• Coming into or out of the inheritance tax threshold

Inheritance tax in the UK is currently charged at 40% on estates above the nil-rate band (£325,000, or up to £500,000 if you are leaving your home to direct descendants). A professionally drafted will can include provisions to help minimise your inheritance tax liability.

6. Bereavement

If someone named in your will dies — whether a beneficiary, an executor, a trustee, or a guardian — your will needs updating. Otherwise, the gift to that person fails, and the relevant clause may not work as you intended.

This also applies if a relationship breaks down with someone named in your will. If you have fallen out with a beneficiary or no longer trust an appointed executor, update your will to reflect the change.

7. Retirement or Reaching Later Life

Retirement often brings significant changes: a pension lump sum, downsizing your home, releasing equity, or simply having a clearer picture of your estate. It is a natural time to review your will and make sure everything is in order.

This is also a good time to consider setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney if you have not already. An LPA protects you while you are alive, in case you lose the capacity to make decisions. A will only takes effect after death — the two documents work together to give you and your family complete protection.

How Often Should You Review Your Will?

Even if none of the above events have happened, it is good practice to review your will every three to five years. Laws change, relationships evolve, and your assets may look very different from when you first made your will.

A review does not always mean a rewrite. Sometimes a simple codicil (a formal amendment) is enough. Other times, it makes more sense to draft an entirely new will. A professional will writer can advise you on the best approach.

What Does It Cost to Update a Will?

Updating a will is straightforward and affordable. At Abrahams Wills, a single will starts from £150 and a mirror will for couples from £250, including a home visit. All prices include VAT with no hidden fees.

I offer home visits across Kingston, Teddington, Sunbury, Hampton, Richmond, Esher, Weybridge, and throughout London and Surrey — seven days a week, daytime or evening.

Do Not Leave It Too Late

An outdated will can be almost as problematic as having no will at all. If your circumstances have changed and your will does not reflect your current wishes, the people you care about most could be left unprotected.

Reviewing and updating your will is quick, simple, and gives you lasting peace of mind.