Wills
How Long Is a Will Valid?
A will remains legally valid indefinitely once it has been correctly signed and witnessed — there is no expiry date under UK law. However, marriage automatically revokes an existing will, and major life changes can make even a technically valid will ineffective or out of date. At Legacy Lines, we help Kent families keep their wills current and legally sound.
In this guide
How long does a will remain valid?
Once a will has been correctly executed — signed by the testator in the presence of two independent adult witnesses, who also sign — it is legally valid with no time limit attached. A will made in 1985 is just as legally valid today as one made last week, provided it was properly executed at the time.
The key word, however, is relevant. A will may be legally valid but practically useless if it was written before significant changes in your life, family or assets. The law allows your estate to be distributed in accordance with a will that no longer reflects your actual wishes — unless you update it.
Does marriage cancel a will?
Important: In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing will. If you marry without making a new will, you will be treated as having died intestate (without a will) — even if your old will is sitting in a drawer.
The only exception is if your existing will was explicitly made "in contemplation of marriage" to a specific named person. This is a formal legal phrase that must be included in the will itself — it is not something that can be assumed after the fact.
This means anyone who has recently married — or who plans to marry — must make a new will as a priority. Without one, their estate will be distributed under the Rules of Intestacy, which may not match their wishes at all.
Does divorce cancel a will?
Divorce does not revoke a will. However, the Wills Act 1837 (as amended) provides that upon decree absolute, any gift to a former spouse is treated as having lapsed, and any appointment of a former spouse as executor, trustee or guardian is cancelled. Your ex-partner is treated as if they had predeceased you on the date of the divorce.
The rest of the will remains in force. This can create unintended results — for example, if your will left everything to your spouse and there is no residuary beneficiary named, the residue may fall into intestacy. It is strongly advisable to make a new will after any divorce.
When should you update your will?
You should review and consider updating your will after any of the following:
- Marriage or civil partnership — this automatically revokes your existing will
- Divorce or separation from a partner
- Birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- Death of a named beneficiary, executor or guardian
- Significant change in your assets — purchasing or selling a property, inheritance, business sale
- Moving abroad or acquiring overseas assets
- A beneficiary developing a disability or financial difficulty that changes what would be appropriate
- Change in your wishes about who should inherit
- Significant change in tax law affecting your estate
Even without any of these events, we recommend reviewing your will at least every five years as a minimum — and every three years where possible. Circumstances change gradually over time, and a periodic review ensures your will continues to reflect your wishes accurately.
How to update a will
There are two ways to update a will:
Codicil
A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing will. It must be executed with the same formalities as the original will (signed, witnessed by two adults). A codicil is suitable for minor, clearly defined changes — for example, changing the executor or removing a specific gift. It should not be used for extensive changes as it can cause confusion when read alongside the original will.
New will
For most updates, making a new will is simpler and cleaner. A new will automatically revokes all previous wills. This avoids the risk of confusion or conflict between documents. Legacy Lines recommends making a new will for any substantial change.
You should never attempt to amend a will by crossing out text, writing in the margins or making handwritten additions after the will has been signed. Any such alterations will be ineffective and can cause problems when the will is used.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a will valid in the UK?
A will is valid indefinitely once it has been correctly signed and witnessed. There is no expiry date. However, if major life events occur — marriage, divorce, birth of children, significant change in assets — the will may no longer reflect your wishes and should be reviewed and updated.
Does getting married cancel my will?
Yes. In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes any existing will unless the will was specifically made in contemplation of that marriage. This means if you marry without updating your will, you are effectively treated as having no will.
Does divorce cancel my will?
Divorce does not revoke a will, but it does cancel any gifts or appointments made to your former spouse. Your ex-partner will be treated as if they had died on the date of the decree absolute. Other provisions of the will remain in force.
How often should I review my will?
You should review your will after every major life event — marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of a beneficiary or executor, significant change in assets — and at a minimum every five years. At Legacy Lines, we recommend a review every three years as standard.
Can I update my will without making a new one?
Yes. Minor changes can be made using a codicil — a formal amendment to an existing will. However, for significant changes a new will is usually cleaner and avoids potential confusion. Legacy Lines can advise on the most appropriate approach for your circumstances.