The Importance of Updating Your Will
The Importance of Updating Your Will
When you write a will, it protects your assets, finances and loved ones. By updating your will regularly, you give the people in your life clarity and yourself complete peace of mind that your wishes will be taken care of when you pass away.
The risks of not updating your will
If you have not updated your will in several years, your assets may not be distributed as you wish and friends, family, loved ones, charities, or other beneficiaries may not be adequately provided for after you pass away.
You may already have a will in place, but it is important to keep that will up to date, especially when significant life events occur.
Major life events that require you to update your will include:
- Having children
- Changed arrangements for children
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Moving house or buying property
- If someone in your will passes away
- Inheriting additional funds, bonds or assets
How often should you change your will?
There is no specific time frame for updating your will, but we recommend doing so after any notable changes in your life or every five years.
By updating your will every five years, you will cover any life events or changes that would affect your will. We would recommend regularly updating your will as soon as these events happen.
Updating your will does not mean completely rewriting it from scratch; it means checking that it still reflects your wishes and provides protection.
Is a will valid without a date?
Technically a will does not need to be dated as it remains a valid legal instrument as long as the testator and two impartial witnesses have signed the will.
That said, there is an advantage of dating your will, as, without a date, there can be difficulty proving that the undated will is the most recent will created and signed by the deceased.
What should I include in my will?
Follow our guidance on what to include when writing your will and you can rest assured that your loved ones are protected.
- The name of your executors (the people who will handle your will and sort out your estate following your death).
- The choice of legal guardians for your children (if they are below the age of 18).
- The name of the person or persons to take care of any pets you own.
- A rundown of your entire estate, including funds, properties, investments, vehicles, family heirlooms and digital assets.
- Direction for your estate (who you will pass specific assets and funds onto) and what should happen if those people die before you do.
Are you updating your will and need professional support?
Now you know the importance of updating your will, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team for support and professional advice. If you require additional information or advice on writing your will, please let us know how our expert team can help. Alternatively, you can browse our services to discover how we can help you.