Making a Will early in life is important to protect your family and assets should anything happen to you. However, as life moves on and circumstances change, you may need to update your Will to ensure it’s still valid and relevant. Aside from your own circumstances changing, there may also be changes to legislation that could affect your Will. To find out if your Will needs updating, you can book in for a FREE Will Review. We recommend having your Will reviewed at least every 5 years or sooner if any major life events occur. In this guide, we’ll discuss which life events could affect your Will, what could happen if you don’t have your Will updated, and how to review your Will for free.
What Happens if I Never Update My Will?
Relatives or assets could be missing from your current Will, which can cause confusion and distress to your family, perhaps leading to painful disputes over guardianship or inheritance. If your relationship with certain family members has changed for the better or worse, this could also be a good reason to update your Will to reflect your current wishes – your instructions could be challenged if your circumstances have changed and your instructions don’t reflect that. Legislation changes also need to be considered, because an out of date Will may affect how your instructions are executed. Keeping you Will up to date will ensure your current wishes are carried out after death and that your family and assets are properly protected. It can also prevent unwanted parties from making a successful claim against your estate, as your instructions will be written according to current legislation and you may be able to add more recent information to support your decisions.
How Much Does it Cost to Review My Will?
You can find out if your Will needs to be updated using our FREE Will Review service. One of our expert Will writers will discuss your current situation with you and review your Will free of charge. If we don’t identify any issues, we’ll happily let you know that all is good and advise you to come back in a few years for another free review. If we see your Will does need updating to reflect your current situation or to adhere to new legislation, then we’ll advise you on the changes that need to be made – this advice is still free of charge. There’s only a fee if you would like us to make the changes for you, and this will depend on the complexity of your situation. Our rates are extremely competitive, and you’ll be told the exact fee beforehand so you can make an informed decision.
When Should I Book a FREE Will Review?
It’s good practise to have your Will reviewed at least every 5 years, or sooner if a major life event has happened since you made your Will or since your last review. Here’s a list of the kind of life events that could mean your Will needs updating:
- A birth in your family
- A death in your family
- Marriage
- Divorce
- House move
- New assets
- New investments
- New businesses
- Other new circumstances
- Wish to change executor(s)
- Legislation changes
The Bottom Line
Having an outdated Will can negate the effort you went to in making your Will in the first place. Certain relatives or assets may be left out, or there may be other imbalances that could lead to painful family disputes once you’re gone. Your instructions may need to be modified in other ways to reflect your current situation or to adhere to new legislation.
You can find out if your Will needs updating free of charge using our FREE Will Review service. We’ve been protecting our local community for 30 years and ensuring your Will is valid and up to date is part of our commitment to you. We’re fully regulated members of the ‘Institute of Professional Willwriters’, so you can be sure our service is of the highest quality. We’re a friendly bunch, so feel free to call us to discuss your Will for free and we’ll happily answer any questions – or book your FREE Will Review here. We look forward to helping you protect your family’s future.
Camberley: 01276 691979
Basingstoke: 01256 637007
COVID-19 Update
Due to the current situation, you are now able to make a Will with us or request a FREE Will Review remotely for your own safety and convenience. Read the article below to find out how this works.
