21 May 2026
By Judith Bryce, Trainee Solicitor, Private Client, Gilson Gray
The importance of regular Will reviews and updates
A common misconception about making a will is that once you make it, the process is complete and never needs to be revisited. In actuality, your Will should be regularly reviewed throughout your life, particularly following any sort of major life change.
The reason being, as your family and your estate change, this has an impact on the way your estate will be distributed upon your passing, and so your Will may no longer be the right fit. Regular Will reviews protect against your estate being distributed in a way that goes against your wishes.
Some examples of significant life changes may include:
While there are a multitude of life changes that could impact estate distribution, these are among the most common that should prompt a will review meeting with your solicitor.
Benefits of regular Will reviews
A major benefit of reviewing your Will, is that it gives you the opportunity to avoid any potential disputes, that could arise, at what will already be a difficult time for your family. Ensuring your intentions are clear, and reflective of your current family make-up, reduces the chance of any disputes either family members stemming from ambiguity over what you would have wanted.
Having a Will that is as up to date as it can be, also makes things easier for those handling your estate following your passing. It’s not just the major changes that should be reflected in your Will, even small things like changes of address should go in, to ensure the process is as smooth and straightforward as possible. Here at Gilson Gray, we do not charge our clients for minor Will updates.
Another reason to review your Will, is to ensure your estate is dealt with in the most tax efficient manner possible. As your estate value fluctuates throughout your life, as well as tax rules changing, it is in your interest to make updates to your Will that better plan for inheritance tax. At Gilson Gray, our solicitors, and our financial advisors, can bring together their expertise to collaborate with you and provide tailored advice to guide you towards the most tax efficient plan, ensuring your assets are protected in the best way they can be.
Perhaps the most important benefit of reviewing and updating your Will, and ultimately the overarching sentiment here, is that it ensures your wishes are upheld, and fulfilled, as you intend them to be.
Risks of not reviewing your Will
A common risk that arises from having a Will that is not kept up to date, is the unintended beneficiary. If, for example, you have named your spouse as a beneficiary under your Will, it is not sufficient to assume that following divorce, that will cease. It is your responsibility to update that change in your life circumstance within your Will.
Another common consequence of not updating your Will would be that you could be exposed to IHT in a way that could have otherwise been mitigated.
A more surprising consequence of having a Will that is out of date, is that it can actually expose you to intestacy. Just because you have a Will in place, doesn’t necessarily mean you are wholly protected against intestacy. Depending on how your Will is drafted, if one of your beneficiaries dies before you, and you don’t update your Will, this could result in that part of your estate you intended for them, falling to intestacy.
The main takeaway here, is that your Will should reflect your estate, and your wishes, in their current form, and that these will naturally change throughout your life, highlighting the need to review and update when necessary. Just as your estate, and life circumstances, are not frozen in time, your Will shouldn’t be either.
