As summer begins, many people naturally turn their attention to fresh starts. You might be thinking about holidays, family time, or getting your finances in shape for the rest of the year. It is also a sensible point in the calendar to take a step back and look at something that often gets overlooked, your Will.
A Will is not something you write once and forget about. Life moves on, circumstances change, and what felt right a few years ago may no longer reflect your wishes today. Taking the time to review your Will now can bring real peace of mind, knowing that your plans still work for you and the people who matter most.
Erin Clarke, Associate Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts and Probate team at Bromleys, explains why reviewing your Will now can make a real difference, helping you protect what matters most and giving you confidence that your plans remain clear, current, and secure.
Why should you review your Will now rather than later?
There is rarely a perfect moment to review your Will, although summer offers a natural pause.
Many people use this time to reflect on the year so far, especially if big decisions have already been made around property, family, or finances.
More importantly, delaying a Will review can create unintended gaps. A document that once felt clear and complete can slowly fall out of date without you realising.
That is where problems tend to arise later, often at a time when your family is least equipped to deal with them.
Reviewing your Will does not have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply confirms that everything is still as it should be. In other cases, it highlights small changes that can make a significant difference.
What happens if your Will is out of date?
If your Will is out of date, it may result in your loved ones receiving something very different from what you had outlined in your wishes.
For example, you may have:
- Named someone who is no longer part of your life.
- Failed to include someone who has since become central to your family.
- Appointed executors who are no longer able or willing to act.
- Financial arrangements that no longer reflect your assets.
In more serious situations, an out-of-date or invalid Will can mean that the law steps in to decide who receives your estate.
Those rules do not always reflect what you would have wanted. Loved ones may face delays, uncertainty, or even disputes at an already difficult time.
A regular review helps avoid these risks and keeps everything aligned with your current wishes.
What life changes mean you should update your Will?
Certain milestones should always prompt a closer look at your Will. Some are obvious, while others are easier to miss.
Changes in your family are often the most significant, including:
- Marriage or civil partnership.
- Divorce or separation.
- The birth of a child or grandchild.
- The death of a loved one.
All of which can affect how you would want your estate to be handled.
Financial changes matter just as much too, such as:
- Buying or selling property
- Receiving an inheritance
- Starting or selling a business
- Building up savings or investments
Even changes in your relationships or priorities can be enough to justify a review. You may want to support different people, leave a gift to charity, or rethink who should be responsible for carrying out your wishes.
There is also a practical point to consider. Many solicitors recommend reviewing your Will every few years as a matter of course, even if nothing major has changed. It is a simple way to stay in control and avoid surprises later on.
Does getting married or remarried affect your Will?
This is one area where people are often caught off guard.
In England and Wales, getting married or entering into a civil partnership can revoke an existing Will unless it was written in contemplation of that marriage. In practical terms, that can mean your carefully prepared Will is no longer valid from the moment you marry.
If a new Will is not put in place afterwards, your estate may be distributed according to intestacy rules rather than your own instructions. For those with children from previous relationships, or more complex family arrangements, this can lead to outcomes that feel deeply unfair.
Divorce does not have the same effect, although it does alter how your Will operates.
This difference can add to the confusion, which is why taking advice at the right time is so important.
If you have married or are planning to remarry, updating your Will should be at the top of your priority list.
How can reviewing your Will help with inheritance tax planning?
For many families, inheritance tax is becoming more relevant.
While only a proportion of estates are liable, property values and frozen tax thresholds mean more people are being drawn into scope than in the past.
A Will that was tax-efficient when it was written may not be structured in the most effective way today.
A review does not necessarily involve complex planning. It may include:
- Making better use of available allowances.
- Structuring gifts more effectively.
- Reviewing how assets pass between spouses, children, or other beneficiaries.
Small adjustments made now can reduce the potential tax burden later, helping to preserve more of your estate for the people you intend to benefit.
What is the best way to update your Will?
Once you decide to review your Will, the next step is understanding how to update it properly.
Minor changes can sometimes be made through a formal amendment, often called a codicil. For more significant updates, creating a new Will is usually the clearer and safer option. This avoids confusion and reduces the risk of disputes about what was intended.
What matters most is that any changes are completed correctly.
A Will must meet certain legal requirements to be valid, including how it is signed and witnessed. Informal changes or handwritten amendments can cause real problems later on.
Working with our specialist team helps ensure everything is done properly and that your Will reflects your wishes in a clear and legally sound way.
When should you speak to a solicitor about reviewing your Will?
Many people put off speaking to a solicitor because they assume it will be time-consuming or complicated.
In reality, a review can often be straightforward, focused and easy to complete.
It can be particularly helpful to seek advice if your circumstances have changed, if your assets have grown, or if your family situation is more complex.
Even if nothing significant has changed, we’re here to give you reassurance that your Will still works as it should.
Having that conversation now can prevent far bigger issues in the future.
Starting summer with clarity and confidence
Taking a moment to review your Will is not about expecting the worst. It is about making sure your plans are still right for you today and giving your family clarity when it matters most.
Summer offers a natural opportunity to step back and take stock. Reviewing your Will is one of those small, practical steps that can bring lasting peace of mind. If you are unsure where to begin, speaking to our specialist team at Bromleys can provide the clarity and reassurance you need to move forward with confidence.
A short conversation now can make a lasting difference later. Call us on 0161 884 0903 or email bromleys@bromleys.co.uk to find out how we can support you.