🔁 Reviewing & Updating Your Will – When and Why
A Will isn’t something you write once and forget. Major life events and changes to your circumstances can affect your wishes or the people named in your Will — and keeping it up to date ensures it always reflects your true intentions.
In this guide, we’ll explain when to review your Will, the most common reasons for updating it, and how to make changes legally and easily.
📅 When Should You Review Your Will?
- 👰 Marriage or civil partnership (this cancels a previous Will in the UK)
- 💔 Divorce or separation
- 👶 Birth or adoption of a child
- 🏠 Buying or selling property
- 💸 Changes in finances or inheritance
- ⚰️ Death of a beneficiary, executor, or guardian
- ✍️ A change in your wishes about gifts, guardians, or funeral requests
Experts recommend reviewing your Will at least every 3–5 years, even if your situation hasn’t changed significantly.
🛠️ How to Make Updates
The safest way to update your Will is to write a new one and destroy the old version. This avoids confusion and makes sure only your latest instructions are followed.
- ✅ Always sign and witness your new Will properly.
- ✅ Store it safely and let someone know where it’s kept.
- ✅ Clearly state that it replaces all previous Wills.
You can also add a legal document called a codicil to make small changes — but this is less common today with digital services making it easy to create a fresh Will quickly.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions – Updating Your Will
Can I just write the changes on my existing Will?
No — handwritten notes are not legally valid. You must create a new Will or add a properly signed codicil.
Is it expensive to update my Will?
Not at all. With online services, you can update your Will quickly and affordably — often for less than £60.
How often should I review my Will?
Every 3–5 years or whenever a major life change occurs (e.g., marriage, divorce, children, property purchase).
What if my executor has died or changed?
That’s a good reason to update your Will — it’s important that your chosen executor is still willing and able to act.
Make sure your wishes are still accurate and legally valid. Update your Will online today for just £59 — it only takes a few minutes.
Need help? Our expert team is here to assist you step-by-step.