Why do I need to update my Will?
It is important to make sure that your Will reflects what you would want to happen to your estate if you were to die now. This way, it gives you peace of mind that your estate is passing to the people that you want to benefit, it can also help to prevent potential disputes and make things easier for your appointed Executors and those you have included in your Will.
If you do not prepare a Will, or if you do not have a valid Will, your estate would be distributed in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy which can be read more about here.
How often should I update my Will?
We at Johnson Astills encourage our clients to review their Wills when any major life changes occur in your life, and recommend that they have a read of their existing Wills at least once a year to ensure that it still reflects their wishes.
Life changing events include, but are not limited to, when you get married or enter into a civil partnership, get divorced, have children/grandchildren or lose a loved one.
How do I make changes if I already have a Will? Do I have to make a new Will?
Our expert solicitors at Johnson Astills understand that circumstances can change from time to time, and it is important to know that your Will still reflects your wishes.
If you would like to make small changes such as amending your Executors or including further beneficiaries, then a Codicil may be appropriate. A Codicil is a document that is placed alongside your Will, and is signed in the same way as your Will. It is useful to prepare a Codicil when you wish to make small changes to your Will.
If you wish to make more significant or several changes to your Will you may be advised to prepare a new Will to reflect these changes.
If you wish to prepare a Will, are considering making any changes or you simply wish to review your existing Will, please feel free to contact our expert solicitors at Johnson Astills who would be pleased to assist you with this. You can call us at our office in Leicester or our office in Loughborough. Alternatively, you may prefer to email us at legal@johnsonastills.com or fill in our enquiry form.
