This Update Your Will Week – 2nd to 8th March 2026, we are proud to support The Association of Lifetime Lawyers in raising awareness about the importance of both making a Will, as well as keeping your Will up to date if personal circumstances change.
Is your Will still right for you?
A Will is far more than just legal document. It captures your wishes, protects your loved ones, and safeguards the legacy you want to leave behind. Modern families are changing rapidly, and people often wrongly assume that their loved ones will be automatically taken care of. However, without clear and legally valid instructions, families and partners can face uncertainty, distress, and even costly disputes-often discovering too late that assumptions do not provide protection under the law and can have serious consequences
Why updating your Will matters
Your Will ensures that your money, property, and personal possessions pass to the people you choose. If you have children under the age of 18, you can also appoint legal guardians in your Will. And if you have pets, you can decide who will look after them after your passing. But when did you last review yours? If your Will is not up to date or you don’t have a Will:
- your estate may be distributed under the intestacy rules, which might not reflect your wishes or your family’s needs.
- loved ones could face unnecessary stress, delays, or legal disagreements at an already difficult time. Your Will should be treated as a living document-evolving as your circumstances change. Regular reviews aren’t a luxury; they’re an essential part of protecting the people you care about.
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When should you update your Will?
It’s best practice to review your Will every three to five years or after any major life event, such as:
- Getting married or entering a civil partnership
- Getting divorced or dissolving a civil partnership
- Becoming a parent or grandparent
- Buying a home or changing your financial situation
- Losing a loved one
- Starting a business
- You or a beneficiary obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate
What Are The Risks of Using Unregulated Will Writers in the UK?
Making a Will is a vital step in ensuring that your assets are passed on according to your wishes and that your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. However, an increasing number of people are turning to unregulated Will writers, often drawn in by low fees, promises of simplicity, and sometimes even the offer of a free gift! A blog by Stacie Hurt.
Need to make or update your Will?
If it’s been a while since you last looked at your Will, or you don’t have one yet, now is the time to take action. At Thornton Jones Solicitors our Private Client team offer specialist expertise in later-life legal matters.
We can help families put clear, legally robust arrangements in place that reflect real lives. We aim to provide personalised support with care, empathy, and attention to detail, ensuring your wishes are clearly documented and legally protected.
Don’t wait until it’s too late, ensure your future wishes are in place today. If you need to make or update your Will, contact our team on 01924 290 029 or contact us using our online enquiry form for expert advice today.
Update Your Will Solicitors FAQs
It’s sensible to review your will every three to five years, or sooner if you experience a major life event such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, buying property, or a significant change in financial circumstances. Regular reviews ensure your wishes remain accurate and legally effective.
Failing to update your will can lead to unintended consequences. For example, marriage can revoke an existing will (unless made in contemplation of marriage), and divorce may affect how gifts to a former spouse are treated. An outdated will can create uncertainty, delay administration of your estate, and increase the risk of disputes.
Minor amendments can be made using a codicil, but significant changes are often best dealt with by preparing a new will. Attempting to alter a will yourself, for example, by crossing out sections, can invalidate it or cause confusion. Seeking legal advice ensures your updated will is properly drafted and executed in line with English law.
The content of this blog post is for information only and does not constitute formal legal advice and should not be relied upon as advice. Thornton Jones Solicitors Limited accepts no liability for any such reliance upon this content. Where the post includes links to external websites, Thornton Jones Solicitors Limited accepts no responsibility for the content of such sites. Any link to a third-party website should not be construed as endorsement by Thornton Jones Solicitors Limited of any content, products or services which are outside our direct control.
Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Garforth, Leeds
Thornton Jones Solicitors
Westbourne House
99 Lidgett Lane
Garforth
Leeds
LS25 1LJ
Tel: 0113 246 4423
Fax: 0113 831 4929
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Wakefield
Thornton Jones Solicitors
Bank House
1 Burton Street
Wakefield
WF1 2GF
Tel: 01924 290029
Fax: 01924 290240
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Ossett, Wakefield
Thornton Jones Solicitors
25 Bank Street
Ossett
WF5 8PS
Tel: 01924 586466
Fax: 01924 290240
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds
Thornton Jones Solicitors
6 Finkle Hill
Sherburn in Elmet
Leeds
LS25 6EA
Tel: 01977 350500
Fax: 0113 831 4929
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
