Many people in London and Essex treat a Will as a “one and done” task. But a Will written a few years ago may no longer protect your assets or your family as you intended, especially if you’ve moved home, the family has grown or the relationship dynamics have changed.
If your Will doesn’t reflect your current life, it can cause delays, confusion, and sometimes disputes later. This guide sets out 7 common life events that are strong signs you should review (and possibly update) your Will.
If you’d like a professional review: Book a FREE consultation
Prefer to start with resources first? Get Your Free Guides
How often should you review your Will? (at a glance)
Routine review: every 3–5 years, even if nothing major has changed
Immediate review: after a major life event (marriage/divorce, new child, buying property, etc.)
Earlier review: if your chosen executors/trustees are no longer appropriate
1) Marriage or Blended Families
Changes to your relationship status are one of the most common reasons to review a Will.
In England and Wales, getting married or entering a civil partnership can have a major effect on an existing Will (in many cases it may no longer operate as intended unless it was made in a specific way). Separation and divorce can also change what you want to happen and how comfortable you feel with old appointments.
Review your Will if you:
– Are getting married / entering a civil partnership
– Have separated or are divorcing
– Are re-partnering or blending families
Related reading: Protecting Your Children’s Inheritance: Following Divorce or Re-Marriage.
2) Buying a home, selling a home, or changing how property is owned
For my clients in London and Essex, the family home is the largest part of the estate.
Review your Will if you:
– Bought your first property
– Bought property with a partner
– Changed the way the property is owned between co-owners
Even when your intentions are simple (“everything to my partner” or “to my children”), the details matter, especially if you want protection for children, or you have a second marriage / blended family.
Service pages to link from this section: Will Writing Services and Wills
3) Having children (or changes in family circumstances)
A Will isn’t only about who receives assets; it’s also about ensuring your family is protected.
Review your Will if you’ve:
– Had a child
– Gained step-children (or your family structure has changed)
– Become a grandparent and want to leave gifts
– Changed what you consider “fair” between beneficiaries
This is also a good moment to confirm your wishes for who should manage money for children while they’re young, and whether additional safeguards are appropriate.
4) Your executors, trustees, or beneficiaries are no longer the right fit
Executors and trustees are the people responsible for carrying out your wishes. A choice that felt right years ago may not be right today.
Review your Will if:
– Someone you appointed has died or become unwell
– Someone has moved abroad or is no longer contactable
– Relationships have changed
– A beneficiary is now vulnerable (debt issues, divorce risk, etc.)
Helpful background: Executors and Executor Assistance
5) Inheritance Tax Planning
If your financial position has changed, your Will may need to change with it-even if your beneficiaries remain the same.
Common triggers include:
– Receiving an inheritance (which can increase your IHT Burden)
– Building up savings/investments
– Owning more than one property
– Business growth or changes to business ownership
– Pension/retirement changes
If inheritance tax is part of the conversation, this is a good starting point: Inheritance Tax
6) Later Life Planning
Many families only start thinking about long-term care when a parent needs help-or when they want to protect their own home and choices later. If long-term care is on your radar, it’s worth checking whether your Will aligns with your broader plans and whether additional estate planning tools should be considered.
Relevant pages: Long Term Care and Property Protection Trust
7) Changes in Health
A Will applies after death. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) helps protect you during your lifetime if you’re unable to make decisions yourself. If you’ve done a Will but haven’t arranged LPAs (or you arranged one years ago and haven’t checked it), it’s a strong sign to review your overall plan.
Learn more: Lasting Power Of Attorney
Related blog: What are the Benefits of Lasting Power of Attorney for Handling Assets?
What to prepare before updating your Will (quick list)
To make a Will review efficient, it helps to have:
– Your current Will (and any updates/codicils)
– A rough list of assets (property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests)
– Who you want as executors (and backups)
– Who should inherit, and what happens if someone dies before you
– Any specific gifts (items, heirlooms)
– Any concerns (blended family, vulnerable beneficiaries, potential disputes)
London & Essex: common reasons people update their Will
In practice, the most common triggers we see locally are:
– Buying property with a partner
– Second marriages and blended families
– Wanting to protect children’s inheritance while providing for a spouse/partner
– Business ownership and succession planning
– Long-term care concerns involving the family home
Next step: book a Will review
If you’d like to check whether your Will still reflects your wishes and circumstances, you can book a free consultation:
Book a FREE consultation
Or start with resources: Get Your Free Guides
