10 Life Events That Mean It’s Time to Update Your Will

By Sally Tofton, Angel Wills – Will Writer & Estate Planner, South West England

Why should you revisit your Will?

When I started Angel Wills, I realised many people had Wills in place — but they were years old, failing to reflect major changes in their lives. One client told me: “We wrote our Will when we were newly married and had no children — now we’ve three kids and a second home.”

That’s why I believe it’s not enough just to have a Will — you must keep it fit for purpose. According to GOV.UK, you cannot simply hand-write changes on your Will; any alteration must be made via a codicil or a completely new Will.

So here are the 10 life events you absolutely should pay attention to:

The 10 key life events that mean you should update your Will

1. Marriage or entering a civil partnership

When you get married or enter a civil partnership, any existing Will can be automatically revoked under English and Welsh law. Citizens Advice+1 If you’ve tied the knot recently, it’s time for a fresh Will to reflect your new status, your partner and how you wish to share your estate.

2. Divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership

Similarly, if you divorce, separate, or your civil partnership ends, your existing Will may not reflect your changed wishes — ex-partners may still be named as beneficiaries or executors. It’s wise to update your Will promptly.

3. Birth or adoption of a child (or grandchild)

When you welcome a new child or adopt, your Will needs revisiting: you may want to name a guardian, include the child as a beneficiary or adjust what happens if both parents die. Experts recommend reviewing after the birth/adoption event.

4. Death of a beneficiary, executor or guardian

If someone named in your Will has died (for example a beneficiary, executor or child guardian), this can cause complications. You’ll need to adjust your Will to reflect new relationships and roles.

5. Acquiring or selling significant assets (e.g. property or business)

If you’ve bought a second home, invested in a business, sold a major asset or otherwise your estate has changed in scale or nature, your Will should reflect those new realities.

6. Moving abroad or coming back to the UK

If you move overseas or your country of residence changes, this may affect your estate planning, tax exposure and the way your Will operates. It’s a strong signal to review your Will, especially if you gain foreign property or assets.

7. Changes in your health or capacity

If your health changes or you are diagnosed with a condition that might reduce your capacity, it makes sense to revisit your Will (and your wider estate-planning, including LPAs). You may wish to review who you’ve appointed, instructions you’ve given, etc.

8. Changes in your family dynamics (blended family, step-children, etc)

If you form or join a blended family, have step-children, or your family structure alters (even grandchildren), you’ll want to make sure your Will reflects your wishes and protects the right people. These changes are more common than many assume.

9. Changes in tax or estate-planning rules

Tax or legal changes (for example to Inheritance Tax thresholds) mean that even if your personal circumstances haven’t changed, the way your Will works might need a tweak.

10. You’ve not reviewed your Will in several years

Even if nothing dramatic has changed, time itself brings new risks: your assets increase, people’s situations evolve, your wishes may shift. Many advisers recommend a review every 3-5 years.

What happens if you don’t update your Will

Failing to update your Will after one of these life events can lead to unintended consequences:

• The law of intestacy might apply if your Will is no longer valid due to marriage or separation. Citizens Advice+1

• Your estate may be distributed in a way that doesn’t reflect your current wishes.

• Your loved ones may face confusion, extra legal costs or disputes.

• Some people may miss out entirely (for example unmarried partners, step-children) because they weren’t named.

In short — keeping your Will up to date is an act of care and protection.

**How I help at Angel Wills

At Angel Wills, I understand that life happens. I offer a service that’s friendly, clear and tailored. Whether you’re dealing with young family changes, second marriages, property moves or simply haven’t looked at your Will in years, I’ll walk you through what needs updating, why and how.

I’ll help you:

• Review your existing Will and flag areas that may no longer match your life.

• Explain in plain English the implications of your changes.

• Create a new Will (or codicil where appropriate) that reflects your current wishes.

• Recommend how to store your Will safely and make sure your executors know where it is.

Feel free to explore my services for young families, middle-aged couples, older clients, blended families and LGBTQ+ families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How often should I update my Will? It’s wise to review every 3-5 years, or sooner if one of the key life events above occurs.

Q2. Can I just hand-write changes on my existing Will? No — doing that can invalidate your Will. You need to make a formal amendment via a codicil or draft a new Will. GOV.UK

Q3. What counts as a “major change” that triggers a review? Major changes include marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of children, significant asset changes, relocation abroad, or serious health changes.

Q4. Do I need a solicitor to update my Will? Not always — but if your situation is complex (blended family, business, overseas assets) professional support is strongly recommended.

Q5. Will marrying or forming a civil partnership invalidate my existing Will? Yes — under English & Welsh law, marriage or entering a civil partnership can automatically revoke a previous Will unless it was expressly made in contemplation of that marriage/partnership. Citizens Advice+1

Key Takeaway and Next Steps

Life changes — big and small — and your Will should reflect exactly where you are now, who you love and what you want to happen.

If you’ve had one (or more) of the events listed above, it’s time for a fresh look at your Will. I’d love to sit down with you, chat through your circumstances and update your Will so it truly fits your life.

➡️ Contact me here for a friendly, no-obligation conversation.