Seven reasons why you might need to think about changing your will

“For most people, property is their biggest asset. When buying, it is a good idea to decide what you would like to happen to the property in the future. This will also have a bearing on the way in which you buy a jointly owned property. For example, if you own it with someone as joint tenants, it will automatically be owned by them, should anything happen to you. However, if you own it as tenants in common, then you are free to leave your share of the property to someone else in your Will.

You can choose to leave the other owner a life interest in the property, meaning they can live there for as long as they wish, but once they no longer need it, your share will pass to your choice of beneficiary.

“When you marry or enter into a civil partnership, your Will automatically becomes invalid, unless it specifically states that it is being written in contemplation of the marriage or civil partnership. This means that unless you put a new Will in place, your estate would pass under the Rules of Intestacy.’

‘Many people choose to review their Will on the birth of a child, to ensure that they will be provided for in the future. Your Will is also your opportunity to appoint your choice of guardian for your child. Without a legally appointed guardian, it would be up to the court to decide who will care for your children, should anything happen to you and their other parent.”

“If someone appointed in your Will as an executor, trustee or guardian dies, you should review whether you need to appoint someone else in their place. This is important if your Will does not name anyone as a reserve appointee.

If a beneficiary dies, you may also want to have a new Will written, making alternative provisions for the gift they were to receive.”

“On divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership, your former spouse or partner will no longer inherit anything you may have left them in your Will. This can mean that part or all of your estate would be intestate, or without an heir, and would pass under the Rules of Intestacy.”

“A substantial change in your financial circumstances can mean that your Will might need revising to ensure that those whom you want to support will still be provided for. Your estate will pay out specified gifts first, such as ‘£5,000 to X’, then once all of these have been paid, the residue will be shared out.

This means that if the amount in your estate falls, your residuary beneficiaries could end up with less than those receiving specific gifts.”

“From time to time, the law changes in respect of issues such as Inheritance Tax and the amount that can be given by way of tax-free gifts. It may be advantageous to review your Will in the light of any changes to ensure that your estate is structured in the most tax efficient way possible.”