Review Your Will in 2026
Every year, Update Your Will Week, led by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, encourages people across the UK to take a simple but powerful step. There's never been a better time to review your Will.
To speak to a private client solicitor about your Will call 0113 320 5000
It might not feel urgent. It might even feel strange and slightly uncomfortable. But updating your Will is one of the most important things you can do for the people you love.
Our Private Client team regularly supports individuals and families who want reassurance that their affairs are in order. Often, they tell us the same thing:
“I’ve been meaning to do it for years.”
Update Your Will Week is the perfect reminder that putting it off can create far more difficulty later, not just financially, but emotionally too.
This week is about clarity, peace of mind, and planning for the future.
What Is Update Your Will Week?
Update Your Will Week is an annual awareness campaign run by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. A national organisation of legal professionals who specialise in later life planning and estate protection.
The campaign exists for the simple reason that many people assume once a Will is written, the job is done. In reality, you should update your Will regularly, particularly when changes occur in your life. A Will is not just a document. It is your voice and your legacy.
Why Updating Your Will Matters More Than People Realise
Most of us don’t like to think about worst-case scenarios. But making a Will is not about expecting something bad to happen. It is about making sure that if the unexpected does happen, your loved ones are not left with uncertainty, confusion, or disputes.
If you were to die without a valid Will, you would die “intestate” which means your assets would be divided as per the intestacy laws. Under intestacy laws the law decides who inherits, not you. This means that families can face unnecessary stress and your important wishes may not be carried out. Delays and legal costs can also arise from dying intestate, which significantly increases the cost of dealing with your estate.
An updated Will ensures that your intentions are clear and legally effective.
When Should You Review Your Will?
A good rule of thumb is to review your Will every three to five years, or whenever your circumstances change. Many people are surprised by how often small changes in life can make a big difference legally.
You should consider updating your Will if:
- You have married, remarried, or entered a civil partnership
- You have separated or divorced
- You have had children or grandchildren
- A beneficiary has died
- You have bought or sold a property
- Your financial circumstances have changed
- You want to plan in relation to Inheritance Tax
- You have started or sold a business
- You wish to make provision for vulnerable relatives
Even if your wishes feel broadly the same, the legal effectiveness of your Will may not be.
When a Will No Longer Fits with Your Life
We often meet clients who wrote their Will many years ago, perhaps when their children were small or when their assets were very different.
If, for example, you named a guardian for your children, but your children are adults now, that doesn’t reflect your current situation
Additionally, if you separated from your partner years ago, but you left everything to them in your Will, they would inherit all your assets when you die.
These are not unusual situations. Life moves quickly, and paperwork often lags behind.
Update Your Will Week is a chance to pause and ask...
“Does my Will still reflect my life today?”
Common Misconceptions About Wills
“I’m too young to need a Will”
This is one of the most common myths.
A Will is not about age. It is about responsibility. If you own property, have savings, have children, or want control over who inherits, a Will matters. Anyone aged 18 or over should consider making a Will.
“My estate is simple”
Even straightforward estates can become complicated without clear instructions, especially where property is jointly owned, families are blended, or dependants rely on support.
“Everything will automatically go to my spouse or children”
Not necessarily.
If you die without a Will (known as dying intestate), the intestacy rules apply. These rules do not account for modern family structures, long-term partners, or personal wishes.
Contact our Private Client team today at wills&probate@winstonsolicitors.co.uk
The Importance of Professional Advice
It can be tempting to use online templates or DIY Will-writing services. But a Will is only useful if it is valid, accurate, and tailored to your circumstances. Mistakes in the Will making process can be costly.
A professionally drafted Will helps to ensure that your assets pass as intended and that tax planning opportunities are not missed. It can also guarantee that executors and trustees are properly appointed and that vulnerable beneficiaries are protected. Speaking to a professional is the only real way to make sure that your Will is legally robust.
Our Private Client team takes the time to understand your priorities, not just your paperwork.
Key Things to Consider When Updating Your Will
During Update Your Will Week, many people ask "what should I actually review?"
Here are some of the most important areas:
- Who you want to benefit
- Whether gifts are still appropriate
- Who should act as executor
- Guardianship for children under 18
- Trust planning for vulnerable or young beneficiaries
- Inheritance tax planning opportunities
- Charitable gifts or legacy wishes
A Will should reflect both your financial position and your family values.
Wills and Inheritance Tax - Why Planning Matters
Inheritance tax (IHT) is an increasing concern for many families, particularly as property values rise. A carefully drafted Will can help make use of allowances, exemptions, and reliefs. For example, nil-rate bands, residence nil-rate band and spousal exemptions.
Update Your Will Week is an ideal time to ensure your estate planning remains efficient as well as fair.
Lasting Powers of Attorney - Another Essential Document
While reviewing your Will, it is also worth considering whether you have Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place.
A Will deals with what happens after death, but an LPA protects you during your lifetime, allowing trusted individuals to manage your financial or health decisions if you become unable to do so.
Many clients choose to address both together for complete peace of mind.
Why Update Your Will Week Is the Perfect Prompt
We understand that updating your Will can feel like something you will do “later.” However, later has a habit of becoming too late. Update Your Will Week is a valuable reminder that planning is not pessimistic. It is practical. It is an act of care.
Putting your affairs in order is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family.
How Winston Solicitors Can Help
We are proud to support individuals and families across Leeds and the wider Yorkshire community with clear, sensitive, expert advice on Wills and estate planning.
Members of our team are accredited by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, meaning that they have specialist training in later life and succession matters.
If you‘ve been thinking about updating your Will, Update Your Will Week is the perfect time to take the next step.
Our Private Client team at Winston Solicitors in Roundhay, Leeds is here to help you plan with clarity, confidence, and care.
Get in touch today to arrange a Will review appointment.
