How to update your Will

Over a period of time, changes in situations or circumstances may require you to review your Will. You must ensure that it is up to date and it should accurately reflect your last wishes. Whenever a major event occurs in your family or to your assets, you should discuss and consult with a lawyer on how to proceed with the changes you want to make in your Will.

Circumstances when you should update your will
You can change or update your Will whenever you wish but some circumstances, like the following, need immediate attention:

When you go through separation, divorce or remarry
If a child or grandchild is born
When you wish to remove or add a beneficiary from your Will
If your beneficiary passes away.
In case you change your name or anybody named in the Will changes theirs
In case an executor dies or becomes unable to act as the executor
If there are changes in the financial situation or your asset structures
When you buy or sell a property
If you dispose of specific gifts left to someone in your Will such as real estate or personal items
How to make changes
Making changes to your Will is simple at Aspire Lawyers! There is one of two ways and we will walk you through the following:

Add a Codicil to your current Will

A Codicil is an amendment added to a Will on a separate document. It should be made in writing, signed, and witnessed by two people. You should be aware that a codicil is only used to make minor changes. It shouldn’t contradict the Will or cause confusion. If a contradiction arises, then the codicil becomes invalid. We recommend that your best option to make changes is to create a completely new Will.

Revoke the current Will and make a new one

You can revoke a Will by making a new valid Will. It’s advised to mention in that new Will that you revoke all the previous Wills made by you. You should consult with your lawyer when making changes to your will and ensure the legality of the changes are correct and stand valid.

Seek Legal Advice
It’s best to discuss with a legal practitioner any changes you wish to make or to revoke your Will, as even the simplest changes must be done with due diligence or they may lead to unintended results.

Aspire Lawyers listen to your concerns & share honest, realistic legal advice throughout to ensure the best possible outcome. Consider a quick chat with us to know more!