Many people make a will and then put it away and forget about it. But as your life changes so should your will. This guide explains why keeping your will up to date matters, when to review it, and whether you need to add to your existing will or write a new one.
Why having a will is important
A will is a legal document that says who should get your money, property and belongings after you die. This is known as your estate. Having a will can:
- let the people you care about sort things out more quickly and easily when you’re gone
- let you decide who should care for any dependants, including children under 18
- help avoid family disagreements
- make it easier to plan for Inheritance Tax.
If you own a home with someone and you’re not married or in a civil partnership, they might not automatically inherit your share if you do not have a will.
Before you write a will, think about how much you can leave and who gets what. Our guide Making a will and planning what to leave will help you get started.
When to review or change your will
It’s usually recommended to review your will every five years to make sure it still reflects your wishes and any changes to Inheritance Tax allowances.
If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s important to review your will when something major changes in your life, such as:
- someone named in your will dies
- you have children or grandchildren
- you get married (marriage cancels a will)
- you get divorced, separate (if unmarried) or end a civil partnership
- you buy or sell property, start a business or your finances change significantly
- you buy property overseas
- you’re diagnosed with a serious illness or your health changes.
The law relating to wills is different if you live in Scotland, but it’s still worth reviewing your will when any of these changes happen.
Avoid writing on your will or make handwritten changes, as this can make it invalid.
Making small changes to your will: Use a codicil
If you only need to make a small change, you can do this using a codicil.
What is a codicil?
A codicil is a legal document that makes an official change to part of your will without replacing it. It’s suitable for small updates to your will, such as:
- changing an executor (the person who will carry out the instructions in your will) or guardian
- adjusting the amount of a specific cash gift
- adding a specific item or possession
- correcting a name
- updating your funeral wishes, such as choosing cremation instead of burial.
You do not need to update your will if an address changes, but it’s worth keeping a note of any new addresses with your copy.
How much does a codicil cost?
If your original will was written by a solicitor or a will-writing service, contact them first. They may update it for free or at a reduced cost.
The cost depends on how you make the change:
- Solicitor: typically between £70 and £200, though fees vary. This is the most reliable option and reduces the risk of errors.
- Will-writing service: costs vary. Some include updates as part of a subscription, while others may recommend writing a new will instead.
- DIY: usually around £10. While this is the cheapest option, there is a higher risk of mistakes that could make your codicil invalid.
It’s important to get professional advice if you’re not sure, as an invalid codicil could cause problems for those you leave behind.
How to sign and witness a codicil
A codicil is not just a signed note. It requires the same legal process as your original will. It must be:
- signed by you
- witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries (the people named in your will), and who are present at the same time.
Avoid using someone as a witness if they, their husband, wife or civil partner benefits from a gift in the codicil. This would make their gift invalid.
Where to store your codicil
Keep your codicil with your original will so they are not separated. Make sure you:
- tell your executor that the codicil exists. If they only find the original will, your new wishes may not be followed, and
- update the National Will RegisterOpens in a new window if your original is registered there.
Find out more in our guide Where to store your will and how to tell your executor
When not to use a codicil
A codicil is not suitable for significant changes to your will, such as changing who inherits the bulk of your estate or removing someone as a beneficiary. In these cases, it’s usually better to write a new will.
Making big changes: Write a new will
If you’re making several or significant updates, writing a new will is often the best option.
When you write a new will, make sure:
- it clearly says it replaces (revokes) all previous wills and codicils
- it doesn’t cancel any separate wills you’ve made for property abroad
- you replace and destroy old copies so there’s no confusion
- you let your executors know where it’s kept.
