You can change your Will at any time, assuming you have the capacity to do so. WSL recommends that you review your Will every five years or after any major life event such as birth, death, marriage, registered civil partnership, divorce, separation, dissolution of a registered civil partnership or moving house.

Even factors outside of your control may give reason to update your Will, for example the rapid growth of house prices over recent years.

There are many other reasons to update your Will:

  • Marriage/divorce: all or part of your old Will will be invalid
  • Unstable marriage or partnership
  • Grandchildren grow older and couples/person wants to benefit them in their own right even if the “Residue” from the Will still passes to their parents.
  • Decision to raise the age at which children/grandchildren inherit the estate, because they are deemed unable to cope at 18.
  • Choice of Guardians needs amending – original appointments are no longer viable, or school requirements make local Guardians necessary.
  • Arrival of children makes appointment of Guardians necessary for the first time.
  • Need to assure housing situation of an adult child who has not left home or has unexpectedly returned.
  • About to go on holiday, especially long haul and/or imminent surgery/illness.
  • Maturity of child; leaving them a large amount of money might not be appropriate, so leaving funds in a Trust might be advisable.

Under our lifetime service, WSL will remind you on a regular basis as to when you need to review your Will, and you will be able to do so free of charge.