Update Your Wills Week 2026: Is Your Will Still Right for You?

Update Your Wills Week is a national campaign encouraging people across the UK to review their wills and estate planning arrangements. It’s not just for those who don’t yet have a will – it’s equally relevant for anyone whose circumstances have shifted since they last signed one.

Your will should reflect your life as it is now, not as it was five or ten years ago. If things have changed, it’s worth taking a closer look.

A will does more than decide who receives your assets. It appoints executors, names guardians for your children and, where appropriate, establishes trusts to protect those you care about. It also plays an important role in inheritance tax planning.

Certain life events can affect your will in ways that aren’t always obvious.

Getting married after signing a will generally invalidates it, unless it was specifically drafted with that marriage in mind. Without a valid will, your estate would pass under the rules of intestacy — which may bear little resemblance to your actual wishes.

Divorce doesn’t cancel a will, but it does treat a former spouse as though they have died for inheritance purposes. If you haven’t reviewed your will since separating, there may be gaps or unintended outcomes.

A will allows you to appoint guardians and set out how assets should be managed for younger beneficiaries. Without a review, that provision may be unclear or insufficient.

Buying property, growing a business, receiving an inheritance or a significant increase in assets can all change the shape of your estate. An outdated will may not account for these developments or make use of available tax reliefs.

Dying without a valid will means your estate is distributed under the rules of intestacy – a statutory formula that takes no account of your personal wishes or family situation.

Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, regardless of how long you’ve been together. Stepchildren are not recognised unless formally adopted. Friends and charities will receive nothing unless your will expressly says so.

Even an existing will can cause problems if it’s out of date. Ambiguity, unintended exclusions or outdated wishes can lead to disputes – placing an unnecessary burden on your family at an already difficult time.

With property values rising and inheritance tax thresholds remaining frozen, more estates are now caught by tax than in previous years. A will review is an opportunity to ensure available reliefs are being used and your estate is structured as efficiently as possible

As a general rule, every three to five years is a sensible interval. But any significant change in your personal or financial circumstances should prompt an earlier review – don’t wait for the next campaign to come around.

Depending on what needs to change, amendments may be made by way of a codicil, or it may be more appropriate to draft a new will entirely. Taking professional advice ensures any changes are legally sound.

A well-drafted will isn’t just about assets. It’s about making sure the right people are protected, your wishes are clearly recorded and your family isn’t left to navigate uncertainty at an already hard time.

For many of our clients, reviewing their will brings genuine reassurance – confirmation that their arrangements reflect where they are in life and that the right safeguards are in place.

Our Wills & Estate Planning team works with individuals and families across the UK, providing clear and practical advice tailored to your circumstances.

Whether you need a new will, want to amend an existing one or are looking for broader guidance on inheritance tax planning and trusts, we’ll take the time to understand what matters to you and advise accordingly.

If your will hasn’t been reviewed recently – or if your circumstances have changed – now is a good time to act. Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you make sure everything is in order.