Legal News | 5.03.26

Update Your Will Week

Have you been thinking about making or updating your Will? Well, you’re not alone. This week’s ‘Update Your Will Week’, introduced by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, encourages the public to make a Will to ensure that their wishes are carried out after their death and protect family members from costly inheritance disputes.

How often should you review your Will?

There are no hard and fast rules about when you should review your Will but we recommend a Will is reviewed every 5 years or on the happening of a significant life event, such as:
• a marriage or civil partnership;
• divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership;
• birth of a new family member;
• death of a loved one; or
• significant changes in your financial circumstances.

Not every review of your Will will lead to a change but discussing your wishes with a solicitor can help ensure your Will reflects your latest wishes.

Why does it matter?

In 2025, the Law Society reported that:
• 11% of people in England and Wales have dealt with the estate of someone who died in the last four years;
• 26% of those people reported that they experienced a problem or dispute as part of the estate administration; and
• 52% of people do not have a Will in place at all!

Without a Will, the law dictates who receives your property and possessions after your death. The rules are strict and may not reflect your wishes. For example, unmarried couples will not inherit from each other unless there is a Will. Furthermore, if you marry or enter a civil partnership, then any Will you previously prepared is revoked, which is particularly important if you are marrying for a second time.

Update Your Will Week is a useful reminder of the importance of executing and maintaining an up-to-date Will. Many adults leave discussing a Will with loved ones and a solicitor to later in life but if you are 18 years or older, it is never too early and life changes quickly – new family members, buying a home, changing relationships, planning for the future…all of these moments are good reasons to take another look at your Will and make sure it still does what you need it to.

If you’ve been meaning to check your Will or don’t have a Will in place, please contact the Private Client Team at wealth@wansbroughs.com.

Footnote: Law Society urges everyone to make a will | The Law Society