Writing a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones — but it’s not something you should write once and forget about.
As life changes, so should your will. At Coastal Legacy, we often meet people across Hampshire, Fareham, Gosport, and Portsmouth who haven’t looked at their will in years — only to realise it no longer reflects their current situation.
Here’s how often you should review your will and what to look for when updating it.
Why Reviewing Your Will Matters
Your will ensures your estate is distributed exactly as you wish. But over time, your relationships, finances, or family structure may change.
If your will doesn’t match your current circumstances, it could:
- Leave out new beneficiaries
- Give assets to someone you no longer wish to include
- Cause confusion or disputes among your family
A regular review ensures your wishes are always accurate and legally valid.
When to Review Your Will
As a general rule, you should review your will every three to five years, or sooner if any of the following life events occur:
1. Marriage or Civil Partnership
Getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically cancels any previous will (unless it was written in contemplation of marriage). You’ll need to create a new one to reflect your new circumstances.
2. Divorce or Separation
If you separate or divorce, your former partner may still be included in your existing will. Reviewing it ensures your estate is left to the right people.
3. The Birth of a Child or Grandchild
New additions to the family are a perfect reason to review your will. You may wish to appoint guardians, create trusts, or update how your assets are divided.
4. Buying or Selling Property
Major changes to your assets, such as purchasing or selling a home, can affect how your estate should be structured.
5. The Death of a Beneficiary or Executor
If someone named in your will passes away, you’ll need to appoint new beneficiaries or executors.
6. Changes in Finances or Investments
If your savings, pension, or investments grow (or decrease), you may want to adjust how they’re distributed.
How to Review Your Will
A will review doesn’t always mean rewriting the entire document. Sometimes, a small amendment or codicil — a short legal note — is all that’s needed.
However, if there are major life changes, it’s often best to create a new will to avoid confusion.
At Coastal Legacy, we make this process easy. Our advisors will review your existing will with you, discuss any changes, and ensure your updated document is valid and clearly written.
Signs It’s Time for a Review
You should consider reviewing your will if:
- It’s more than five years old
- You’ve moved home
- You’ve changed your relationship status
- You’ve had children or grandchildren
- Your named executors are no longer available
- You’ve inherited or started a new business
Even if nothing major has changed, a quick review offers peace of mind that everything is still in order.
Keeping Your Will Safe
Once your will is updated, it’s just as important to store it securely. Coastal Legacy offers professional will storage services, ensuring your document is protected and easily accessible when needed.
Keep Your Wishes Up to Date
Your will should grow with you. Regular reviews ensure your loved ones are always protected and that your legacy reflects your life as it is now.
At Coastal Legacy, we make it simple to review and update your will — with friendly, professional advice you can trust.
👉 Contact Coastal Legacy today to review your will and keep your wishes up to date.