Will Writing

Does Marriage Revoke a Will in the UK? What to Do After Getting Married

Getting married in England and Wales automatically voids any existing will — even a recent one — unless it contains a specific legal phrase. Here is what the law says and how to make a valid new will quickly.

22 June 2026·6 min read

Plain-English answer

Yes — marriage automatically revokes any existing will in England and Wales under section 18 of the Wills Act 1837. The moment you marry, your previous will becomes void. You need to make a new one. The only exception is a will that explicitly states it was made “in contemplation of” your marriage to a named person — most standard wills do not include this.

The law: section 18 of the Wills Act 1837

Section 18 of the Wills Act 1837 states that a will is revoked by the testator’s subsequent marriage. This rule applies in England and Wales. It applies to:

All marriages registered in England and Wales
Civil partnerships (Civil Partnership Act 2004, s.69)
Wills made before or after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

The revocation happens automatically on the date of the ceremony. You do not need to do anything to void the old will — it is void by operation of law.

The exception: “in contemplation of marriage”

A will survives marriage only if it was made expressly in contemplation of that specific marriage. The will must state this clearly — for example:

“This will is made in contemplation of my marriage to [full name of intended spouse].”

Both conditions must be met: the will must name the person you intended to marry, and you must subsequently marry that person. A general statement that you plan to marry someone, without naming them, is not sufficient.

Most standard DIY wills — including older wills written without legal advice — do not include this clause. If your will does not contain this specific language, marriage revokes it.

What happens if you die without a new will after marriage?

Without a valid will, your estate passes under the intestacy rules (Administration of Estates Act 1925, as amended). In England and Wales:

Your spouse or civil partner inherits the first £322,000 of your estate (the statutory legacy, reviewed periodically)
Half of the remaining estate goes to your spouse; the other half to your children
If you have no children, your spouse inherits everything

This matters most if you have children from a previous relationship. Under intestacy, those children share the remainder with your new spouse — which may not be what you intended, and may not be what your new spouse intended either.

Mirror wills for newly married couples

The most common choice for couples who have just married is a pair of mirror wills: two separate wills that are identical in structure but each names the other spouse as the primary beneficiary. If one spouse dies, everything passes to the survivor. If both die together (or the survivor has already died), the estate passes to named backup beneficiaries — typically children, siblings, or a charity.

Mirror wills are separate legal documents. Each spouse signs their own will in front of two independent witnesses. They are not legally bound together — either spouse can later change their will without the other’s consent — but they reflect the shared intentions of a couple at the time they are made.

When a single will is right after marriage

If you have a more complex estate — for example, children from a previous relationship, property held in your name only, or a significant difference in assets between spouses — a single will with specific provisions may be more appropriate than mirror wills. A single will costs £39.99 with WillSafe UK.

What to do after getting married: four steps

Confirm your old will has been revoked

If you made a will before your marriage and it did not include the phrase 'in contemplation of my marriage to [name]', it is automatically void from the date of your marriage. You need a new will.

List your assets, beneficiaries, and executors

Make a note of your estate (property, savings, pensions, investments, digital assets), who you want to inherit, and who you trust to act as your executor. For married couples, this is often each other, with adult children or a sibling as backup executor.

Decide whether you need a single will or mirror wills

A single will covers one person. Mirror wills are two separate wills that mirror each other — typically each spouse leaves everything to the other, then to named children or other beneficiaries. Mirror wills are usually the right choice for couples who have just married.

Complete your will kit, sign it, and store it safely

Follow the step-by-step instructions in your WillSafe UK will kit. You must sign your will in the presence of two independent adult witnesses who also sign it. Store the signed original somewhere safe — a fireproof safe, a solicitor's strong room, or HMCTS's government storage service.

Mirror Wills Kit

Two legally valid wills for both of you — completed at home in under two hours. Includes full signing instructions and executor guidance.

£59.99

Get Mirror Wills Kit

For one person

Single Will Kit

A single legally valid will for England and Wales. Covers beneficiaries, executor, guardians, and residuary estate. Instant download.

£39.99

Get Single Will Kit

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Frequently asked questions

Does getting married void your will in the UK?+

Yes. In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing will under section 18 of the Wills Act 1837. This happens on the date of the marriage ceremony, not when you register it. The only exception is a will that was made expressly 'in contemplation of' that marriage — but this phrase must appear in the will itself and name the specific person you intend to marry.

What happens if I die without a new will after getting married?+

If your old will has been revoked by marriage and you have not made a new one, you die intestate — without a valid will. Under the intestacy rules in England and Wales, your spouse or civil partner inherits the first £322,000 of your estate plus half of anything above that. The other half of the excess goes to your children (or if no children, to other relatives). If you have no children, your spouse inherits everything. This may not match what you wanted, particularly if you have children from a previous relationship.

What is 'in contemplation of marriage' and does my old will qualify?+

A will made 'in contemplation of marriage' survives the marriage if the will explicitly states it is made in expectation of marriage to a named person. For example: 'This will is made in contemplation of my forthcoming marriage to Jane Smith.' The named person and the subsequent marriage must match. Most standard wills — including DIY wills — do not include this clause, which means marriage revokes them automatically.

Does a civil partnership also revoke a will in England and Wales?+

Yes. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 extended the same rule to civil partnerships: forming a civil partnership automatically revokes any existing will in England and Wales, subject to the same 'in contemplation of' exception.

Does divorce revoke a will in the UK?+

No — divorce does not revoke a will. However, under section 18A of the Wills Act 1837, any gifts or appointments to your former spouse are treated as if they had died on the date the decree absolute (or final order) was made. So your former spouse loses their inheritance, but the rest of the will remains valid. You should still make a completely new will after divorce to reflect your changed circumstances.

How long after getting married do I have to make a new will?+

There is no legal deadline, but you should make a new will as soon as possible — ideally before the wedding, or within days of it. Until you have a valid new will, your estate would pass under the intestacy rules if you died. A WillSafe UK Single Will Kit or Mirror Wills Kit takes under two hours to complete and can be printed, signed, and stored the same day.

This guide covers the law in England and Wales only. It is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a complex estate or children from a previous relationship, consider reviewing your plans with a solicitor. Last updated 22 June 2026.