Update an Existing Will

Making sure your Will is up-to-date is just as important as writing a Will in the first place.

When to update your Will

There are many reasons why you may need to update your Will including:

  • Your marital status changes i.e. you get divorced and/or remarried
  • You have or adopt a child(ren)
  • You move home
  • A guardian, executor, trustee or beneficiary moves away, dies or no longer can/wants to fulfil the role
  • There is a substantial change to your property value
  • Your children are no longer minors (under 18) and can manage their own financial matters
  • You have forgotten anybody you would now like to mention
  • You would like to leave a gift to charity.

We suggest you review your Will every couple of years just to make sure your loved ones are protected. Most of the time, you won’t need to make any changes. However, if you do, Goldsmith Williams can help you make the necessary changes quickly and simply.

One way to update an existing Will is to making a codicil. A codicil is a legal document which allows you make changes to a previously written Will. When making a codicil, the same legal requirements must be followed (e.g. it must be properly prepared so it adds to and not revokes your original Will. It must also be signed by you and your two witnesses).

We recommend executing a codicil for minor changes such as changing an address. However, if you need to make a few changes, it is often easier and preferable to simply write a new Will.

Meet Melissa. Our Head of Wills & Probate.

With over 10 years’ experience in the legal industry, Melissa qualified as a Solicitor in 2021 and specialises in all aspects of Private Client matters, including the preparation of Wills, Probate, Estate Management and Lasting Power of Attorney.

Melissa | Head of Wills & Probate

A Liverpool law firm specialising in wills & probate with more than 30 years’ experience.


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