Your Will should change as your life does – when did you last review yours?

It’s a common misconception not only that Wills are something to think about later in life, but that once written, the job is done. In reality, a Will should evolve as your life does. Changes to your family, finances or circumstances can quickly make an existing Will outdated, and relying on one that no longer reflects your wishes can leave modern families exposed and unprotected. In this blog, Wills, trusts and probate partner Barry Griffin challenges outdated thinking and explains why regularly reviewing your Will is just as important as having one in the first place.

Why everyone should have an up to date Will

Wills are needed to ensure your assets and estate are passed on to your loved ones, in the way you wish for them to be divided.

Without a Will, your belongings are split according to intestacy laws, which pay no regard to unmarried partners, stepchildren, distant relatives or friends. Intestacy laws are outdated, and often not reflective of modern family structures. For individuals within a blended family, a Will is the only way to guarantee no loved ones are left out or overlooked when it comes to inheriting the assets you’ve spent a lifetime working for.

How can a Will safeguard my family’s future?

Wills and trusts are useful tools for helping to protect your assets against things such as the rising costs of care fees. It’s also a beneficial way of getting your finances in order, understanding the totality of what you own and protecting against inheritance tax.

A Will, when properly maintained and updated, can also prevent the need for any contests to a Will. After all, how can you expect another family member to interpret what you intended to happen with your estate, if you’re unable to make these decisions yourself?

It can be a great relief to your family if plans have been made well before your passing, as it will save them from having to face any difficult financial decisions whilst working through their grief.

How often should a Will be updated?

It’s best to review your Will annually – to check if it’s still in standing with your current lifestyle, covers all your assets and reflects your present family structure. A Will also needs to be updated any time your circumstances change, for example, if a new child is welcomed into your family, you get married, file for divorce or purchase a new property or business.

Making any such amends to your Will is a simple matter when working with a reliable and trusted legal specialist, especially one that you’ve known for years, as is often the case with many of our clients. Reviewing a Will is also more straightforward and quicker than you may think.

Is it difficult to make a Will?

Not at all – with the right legal advice from a reliable Wills, trusts and probate solicitor, it’s a surprisingly simple process and one that can provide great relief and security. Lots of individuals can be put off writing a Will fearing it’s an incredibly complicated and unsavoury topic to consider. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

When meeting with clients for the first time, our only goal is to make their lives easier. We do this by welcoming them as friends and putting time and effort into getting to understand every facet of their lives so we can provide bespoke, flexible and simple, yet effective, solutions. Every step of the process is clearly outlined, making it easy for clients to follow and feel in control and without judgment.

Considering making a Will?

No matter if you’re a homeowner or a renter, have plenty of savings in the bank or barely any at all, or are in your early 20s or approaching your late 60s, everyone has things and people that matter, which is why you need a Will, to ensure they’re protected.

The Wills, trusts and probate team at Debenhams Ottaway specialises in advising a variety of private and high net-worth clients on the writing and updating of their Wills and safeguarding of their assets.

When coming to see us, you’ll meet with a solicitor that we’ve taken the time to personally match you with, so a bond of trust can be formed that will last throughout your lifetime. You can meet us at our HQ in the heart of St Albans, our Radlett office or at our London office space if that’s more convenient for you.

Many of our clients tell us they’re pleasantly surprised by how warm and approachable their solicitors are – often quite different from what they expected when seeking legal advice. From the very first conversation, they realise we’re people too, with shared values and priorities. That human connection is at the heart of what makes us different. Like you, we have families we care deeply about, which gives us a genuine understanding of what matters most. We’re committed to helping you protect your family’s future with clarity, confidence, and the highest standard of legal advice.

If you would like to write or review your Will, please contact Barry Griffin or someone in our Wills, trusts and probate team.