How often should you review your will in the UK?

Most estate planning solicitors recommend reviewing your will every 3–5 years, even without a specific triggering event. Tax thresholds, family circumstances, and asset values change over time, and a will drafted 10 years ago may produce unintended results today. A quick annual check — 'is everyone named in my will still alive, in the right relationships, and have I acquired or sold any major assets?' — takes 10 minutes and can prevent significant problems.

Does getting married invalidate your existing will?

Yes — marriage revokes your will entirely under s.18 of the Wills Act 1837. The moment you marry (or enter a civil partnership), any existing will is automatically void and your estate would pass under the intestacy rules if you died without making a new one. There are two exceptions: (1) a will made 'in contemplation of marriage' to a specific named person — it can be written to survive the marriage; (2) a will made in Scotland — Scottish law is different and marriage does not automatically revoke a Scottish will.

Does having children mean you need to update your will?

Yes — particularly to appoint guardians for children under 18 and to set up trust provisions for their inheritance. If your child is not yet born when the will is made, they are usually covered by the general wording (e.g., 'to my children equally'), but it is best practice to review after each birth to confirm this is the case and to update guardian appointments. Stepchildren are not automatically included — they must be specifically named.

What happens if an executor or beneficiary named in the will has died?

If a sole executor dies before you, your estate may have no-one to apply for probate without a court application. If a beneficiary dies before you, their gift usually falls back into the residuary estate unless a substitute is named or unless it passes to their children under the Wills Act 1837 (which only applies to direct descendants in certain circumstances). To avoid both problems, name substitute executors and substitute beneficiaries, and update the will when key people named in it die.

Do I need to update my will after buying or selling a house?

Usually no — a will does not need to name property specifically to cover it, and 'all my estate' language covers whatever you own at the time of death, including property acquired after the will was made. However, you should review if: you sell a property you specifically named in the will (a specific legacy of named property fails if you do not own it at death); you buy a property with a partner and need to consider how ownership is structured; or the purchase significantly changes your overall estate value in a way that affects IHT planning.

Should I update my will after a significant inheritance or windfall?

Yes — if you receive a substantial inheritance, lottery win, or other windfall, your estate may now exceed the inheritance tax nil-rate bands. Existing trust provisions, specific legacies, and the overall distribution may no longer reflect your wishes given the changed asset level. A significant inheritance also affects the RNRB calculation and the spousal exemption planning. Review your will and LPA together with an estate plan update.

Does moving abroad or having overseas assets affect my UK will?

Yes — a UK will can govern UK-based assets but may not be automatically recognised for overseas assets. Different countries have different inheritance laws and succession rules, and some countries require a local will for locally-situated assets (such as Spanish property or French bank accounts). If you acquire overseas assets or move abroad, take specialist advice on whether a separate local will is needed alongside your UK will, and whether the UK will should be specifically limited to UK assets to avoid conflict.

When Should You Update Your Will UK? 9 Life Events That Trigger a Review

9 life events that mean your will needs reviewing

You get married or enter a civil partnership critical

Marriage automatically revokes your existing will under s.18 Wills Act 1837. Without a new will, your estate passes under the intestacy rules — which may not reflect your wishes. Make a new will before or immediately after marriage. A will 'in contemplation of marriage' to a named person can survive the wedding, but must be specifically drafted to do so.

You separate or divorce critical

Separation has no legal effect on your will — your spouse retains full inheritance rights until the Final Order is granted. After the Final Order, gifts and roles for your ex are automatically cancelled, but the rest of the will stands (potentially producing unintended results). Make a new will as soon as you separate — do not wait for the divorce to complete.

You have a child (biological or adopted) high

A new child may not be specifically named in your will. More importantly, you need to appoint guardians for children under 18 and consider whether trust provisions for their inheritance are appropriate. Review after each birth or adoption.

An executor or beneficiary dies high

If a sole executor dies before you, there may be no-one to apply for probate. If a beneficiary dies before you and no substitute is named, their gift falls back into the residuary estate. Name substitute executors and beneficiaries, and update when key named people die.

You acquire or dispose of a significant asset medium

If you specifically named a property or asset in your will and later sell it, the specific legacy fails — the named beneficiary gets nothing. A significant acquisition (house, business, inheritance, pension pot) may also push your estate into IHT territory, requiring planning adjustments.

Your financial circumstances change significantly medium

A substantial change in wealth — lottery win, inheritance, divorce settlement, sale of a business — may mean your existing will no longer reflects your intentions or is no longer IHT-efficient. Review trust structures, charitable provisions, and nil-rate band planning.

You start or stop a business medium

Business ownership affects Business Property Relief, succession planning, and the overall IHT position. If you have recently started a business, your will should address what happens to your share on death and how the two-year BPR ownership rule interacts with your timeline.

Your relationship with a beneficiary changes low

If you have become estranged from a beneficiary you named in the will, or have a new close friend or partner you want to include, the will needs updating. People named in a will cannot be easily excluded after death without the risk of an Inheritance Act claim if they were financially dependent.

Tax law changes significantly low

The April 2026 BPR cap, the April 2027 pension IHT change, and the freeze on nil-rate bands until 2030 all affect how wills should be structured. Review your will whenever major tax changes are announced — particularly those affecting IHT, pensions, or business assets.

How to update your will: new will vs codicil

There are two ways to update a will — making a new will, or adding a codicil (a formal amendment). For most changes, making a completely new will is preferable.

New will (recommended for most changes)

Replaces the entire existing will
Avoids any confusion between old will and amendments
Same requirements as original: signed and witnessed by 2 independent adults
Most will-writing services offer updates at reduced cost
WillSafe UK: £20 for a complete new will kit

Codicil (for minor amendments only)

Adds or changes a specific clause in the existing will
Must be witnessed with the same formalities as a will
Risk of inconsistency with original will provisions
Suitable for simple changes: update an executor, change a small legacy
Not recommended for significant structural changes

Never amend a will by hand

Writing on, crossing out, or annotating a signed will does not create a valid amendment — it can actually invalidate the original clause and call the whole will into question. Any change to a will must be made by a formal codicil with witnesses, or by making a new will.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you review your will in the UK?: Most estate planning solicitors recommend reviewing your will every 3–5 years, even without a specific triggering event. Tax thresholds, family circumstances, and asset values change over time, and a will drafted 10 years ago may produce unintended results today. A quick annual check — 'is everyone named in my will still alive, in the right relationships, and have I acquired or sold any major assets?' — takes 10 minutes and can prevent significant problems.
Does getting married invalidate your existing will?: Yes — marriage revokes your will entirely under s.18 of the Wills Act 1837. The moment you marry (or enter a civil partnership), any existing will is automatically void and your estate would pass under the intestacy rules if you died without making a new one. There are two exceptions: (1) a will made 'in contemplation of marriage' to a specific named person — it can be written to survive the marriage; (2) a will made in Scotland — Scottish law is different and marriage does not automatically revoke a Scottish will.
Does having children mean you need to update your will?: Yes — particularly to appoint guardians for children under 18 and to set up trust provisions for their inheritance. If your child is not yet born when the will is made, they are usually covered by the general wording (e.g., 'to my children equally'), but it is best practice to review after each birth to confirm this is the case and to update guardian appointments. Stepchildren are not automatically included — they must be specifically named.
What happens if an executor or beneficiary named in the will has died?: If a sole executor dies before you, your estate may have no-one to apply for probate without a court application. If a beneficiary dies before you, their gift usually falls back into the residuary estate unless a substitute is named or unless it passes to their children under the Wills Act 1837 (which only applies to direct descendants in certain circumstances). To avoid both problems, name substitute executors and substitute beneficiaries, and update the will when key people named in it die.
Do I need to update my will after buying or selling a house?: Usually no — a will does not need to name property specifically to cover it, and 'all my estate' language covers whatever you own at the time of death, including property acquired after the will was made. However, you should review if: you sell a property you specifically named in the will (a specific legacy of named property fails if you do not own it at death); you buy a property with a partner and need to consider how ownership is structured; or the purchase significantly changes your overall estate value in a way that affects IHT planning.
Should I update my will after a significant inheritance or windfall?: Yes — if you receive a substantial inheritance, lottery win, or other windfall, your estate may now exceed the inheritance tax nil-rate bands. Existing trust provisions, specific legacies, and the overall distribution may no longer reflect your wishes given the changed asset level. A significant inheritance also affects the RNRB calculation and the spousal exemption planning. Review your will and LPA together with an estate plan update.
Does moving abroad or having overseas assets affect my UK will?: Yes — a UK will can govern UK-based assets but may not be automatically recognised for overseas assets. Different countries have different inheritance laws and succession rules, and some countries require a local will for locally-situated assets (such as Spanish property or French bank accounts). If you acquire overseas assets or move abroad, take specialist advice on whether a separate local will is needed alongside your UK will, and whether the UK will should be specifically limited to UK assets to avoid conflict.

Update your will today with WillSafe UK

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This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. Laws described apply to England and Wales only. Always consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your circumstances.