When to write or update your Will

According to the 2026 National Wills Report, over half of UK adults don’t have a Will or have a Will that is out of date.

In many ways, an outdated Will is worse than not having one at all. 47% of those without a Will say they “haven’t got around to it”*, and while there’s rarely an ideal time to update your Will, changing circumstances are a natural point at which it’s appropriate for you to start your planning.

So, when should you write or update your Will? The UK Government recommends reviewing your Will every five years and after any major change in personal circumstances. Our Will writing solicitors look at some of the significant life events that may trigger the need to write or review your Will.

This blog was originally published in December 2024 and updated in November 2026 with new data.

When to write or update your Will

1. You’ve moved in with your partner

Owning a home together doesn’t mean you don’t need a Will. If anything, having your own home makes it even more important to protect your and your partner’s financial interests. It’s a common misconception that your share of the property will automatically pass to your partner if you die.

If you die without a valid Will (intestate), the law does not recognise cohabitation in the same way it recognises marriage or civil partnership.

Rather than pass to your partner, your share of the property may be distributed to your relatives. Making a Will is the only way to ensure your assets are passed on as you would’ve intended.

2. You’ve started your own business

If you own a business or are thinking about setting one up, whether you’re operating as a Sole Trader, in a partnership or are a shareholder in a Limited Liability Company, it’s extremely important to make sure your business is in the right hands if you pass away.

Considerations to add to your Will regarding your business may include:

• Who the business will be left to
• The day-to-day running of the business
• Financial liabilities
• The business being sold

3. You’ve separated or divorced

Any significant changes to your personal relationships should be reflected in your Will. This can include:

• Getting married or registering a civil partnership (this can revoke an existing Will)
• Remarrying
• Getting divorced or dissolving a civil partnership (this can affect the appointment of executors and beneficiaries of a Will)
• Separating

As well as adding beneficiaries to your estate, you may also want to remove people if they’ve predeceased you or your relationship with them has ended or deteriorated.

4. You’ve had children or grandchildren

Every parent needs a Will, which is why having children often prompts couples to make their first Will.

Making a Will is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your child is cared for by the people you choose should anything happen to you.

In your Will, you can appoint a guardian(s) to be responsible for the care of your child. Read more about who gets responsibility for your child if you die.

You can also appoint a trustee(s) to manage financial assets left to your children until they turn 18 or become entitled. This can also include your house; read more about leaving your house to your children. With the right level of support, trust funds are straightforward to manage and administer. They can also limit future exposure to Inheritance Tax.

5. Changes in your assets

If the value of your assets has changed, now is the time to review your Will and ensure that it accurately reflects your final wishes.

If you’re lucky enough to find that your estate has significantly increased, maybe in terms of your property value, or you’ve been left a sum of money from an inheritance, this may be the appropriate time to look at ways in which you can mitigate or avoid future liabilities of tax through trusts and careful estate planning.

6. Changes in medical circumstances

A change in your medical circumstances can happen at any given time, but this is considered a major prompt for individuals to get their Will in place in case the unthinkable happens. This will ensure loved ones and your assets are taken care of the way you wish.

7. An executor named in your Will dies before you

If you only appoint one executor in your Will and they die before you, you must update it to include a new executor. If you don’t, this may cause complications down the line for relatives if you were to also pass away without amending your Will. Read more about who to choose as your executor.

Why it’s important to regularly update your Will

Your Will is probably the most important legal document you’ll ever own. Without one, you won’t be able to control how your estate is distributed, and it’s very likely that this won’t be as you would have intended. This is why reviewing your Will regularly is highly recommended.

A Will is a living document and will change as you and your circumstances do.

What about pets?

Pets are often an important part of the family, and people worry about what will happen to them. If you have a pet, you can also include them in your Will. You can specify who you want them to live with or whether you want a specialist animal charity to take them on.

Contact us about writing or updating your Will

If your circumstances have changed and you need to write or amend your Will, our team of dedicated Will writing solicitors is here to help. Call us on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.

* According to the 2026 National Wills report