When Should You Review Your Will? Key Times

A will can feel finished once it has been signed and safely stored away. Yet the question of when should you review your will often arises after a major change has already happened: a new baby, a house move, a separation or the loss of someone named in it. Reviewing it sooner can prevent your wishes becoming unclear at precisely the time your family needs certainty.

For most people, a will is not a document to write once and forget. It should reflect the life you have now, the people you want to protect and the assets you have worked hard to build.

When should you review your will?

A sensible approach is to review your will every three to five years, even if nothing obvious has changed. This does not always mean you need a new will. It simply gives you the chance to check that your executors, beneficiaries and arrangements still make sense.

You should also arrange a review promptly after a significant change in your family, finances or personal circumstances. Waiting can leave gaps that are difficult, expensive or upsetting for those left behind.

Marriage or a new civil partnership

In England and Wales, marriage or entering into a civil partnership usually revokes an existing will, unless that will was made specifically in contemplation of that particular marriage or civil partnership. If you have remarried and have not made a new will, the position may be very different from what you intended.

This is especially relevant for couples with children from earlier relationships. A carefully prepared will can help provide for a spouse or partner while protecting an intended inheritance for children in the longer term.

Separation, divorce or the end of a relationship

Separation does not automatically change your will. If your former partner remains named as an executor or beneficiary, they may still have a role or receive a gift unless you update the document.

Divorce has different effects, but it is not a replacement for a proper review. Broadly, a former spouse is treated as having died before you for certain provisions, which can create unintended results if there are no replacement executors or beneficiaries named. Until a divorce is final, an existing will can still operate as written.

Having children or grandchildren

A new child is an obvious reason to revisit your will, particularly if you need to appoint guardians. Guardians are the people you would want to care for children under 18 if both parents have died. It is a decision that deserves discussion, rather than a name added in haste.

You may also want to reconsider how your estate is divided. Some parents prefer equal shares for children, while others want to account for different needs or previous gifts. Grandchildren can be included directly, but the wording needs care if you want to avoid uncertainty about who receives what.

Buying, selling or inheriting property

A first home, a move to a larger property, a holiday home or an inherited share in a house can all change the value and structure of your estate. How a property is owned matters too. Property held as joint tenants usually passes automatically to the surviving owner, while a share owned as tenants in common can be dealt with under your will.

If you have become a homeowner, paid off a mortgage or received an inheritance, it is worth checking whether your current will still offers the protection you intended. In some circumstances, a trust may be considered to help protect a share of the home for children or other beneficiaries.

A death, illness or change in capacity

If an executor, guardian, trustee or beneficiary has died, become seriously ill or is no longer suitable, your will may need updating. Naming replacement people can avoid unnecessary delay and uncertainty later.

Changes in your own health are also a reason to act without delay. A will can only be made or changed when you have the mental capacity to understand the decision and its effects. Alongside a will review, many people consider Lasting Powers of Attorney so that trusted people can make decisions if they become unable to do so themselves.

A change in money, business or tax position

A growing savings pot, pension, life policy, business interest or investment portfolio may mean an older will no longer reflects your estate. Pension death benefits and life assurance are often dealt with by nominations or trusts rather than a will, so those arrangements should be checked as part of wider planning.

Tax rules and allowances can change too. The right action depends on the size and nature of your estate, your family circumstances and your aims. The goal should not be to chase complicated arrangements unnecessarily, but to make informed decisions before problems arise.

What to check when reviewing your will

Start by reading the document from beginning to end, including any codicils. Ask whether the people named are still right for the responsibilities they have been given. An executor needs to be capable, willing and likely to be able to deal with the administration of your estate. A trustee may need to manage money or property for a longer period.

Then check your beneficiaries. Are all the people you wish to provide for included? Are there people who should no longer receive a gift? Consider what happens if a beneficiary dies before you, or if a young beneficiary receives an inheritance before they are ready to manage it.

It is also worth checking specific gifts. Items such as jewellery, family heirlooms or a cash legacy may have been sold, given away or changed in value. Your residuary estate - everything left after debts, expenses and specific gifts - should have a clear destination, with substitute beneficiaries where appropriate.

Finally, make sure the original will can be found. Telling your executors where it is stored is a simple step that can save considerable stress. A photocopy may not be enough to prove your wishes after your death.

Do not amend a will yourself

Crossing out a name, writing notes in the margin or attaching an informal letter can create more uncertainty than it resolves. Alterations made after signing may not be legally valid, and a damaged or unclear document can cause dispute.

Small, straightforward changes can sometimes be made by a codicil. However, where there have been several changes, a new will is often clearer and safer. The document must be signed and witnessed correctly for it to be valid, and the details matter. A professional review can identify whether a simple update is sufficient or whether your circumstances call for a fresh will and wider estate planning.

A regular review is an act of protection

A will review is not only about changing names and figures. It is an opportunity to think through the practical impact of your decisions on the people closest to you. For example, leaving everything outright to a surviving spouse may be right for some families, while others may want to balance that security with protection for children from a previous relationship.

There is no single arrangement that suits every household. What matters is that your will matches your priorities and is prepared in a way that reduces the scope for misunderstanding or family disagreement.

For clients across North Essex, Suffolk and East Cambridgeshire, Langham Wills can discuss your circumstances in a relaxed, personal appointment, including at home where that is more convenient. A review can also bring your will, trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney into one clear plan.

The best time to review your will is before a life event turns an old document into an avoidable problem. Setting aside time now is a practical kindness to the people who may one day need to rely on it.