Why a Basic Will Isn’t Enough in 2026

Essential Things to Know Before Making (or Updating) Your Will

At Hutchinson & Buchanan Solicitors, we’ve helped generations of families across Ripon and North Yorkshire secure their legacies. Yet one truth remains: while most people understand that having a will is important, far fewer realise that a simple, outdated, or incomplete will can create unnecessary stress, cost, and even family conflict for those you leave behind.

In 2026, life is more complex than ever. Blended families, digital assets, evolving tax rules, and shifting family dynamics mean that a “basic” will may no longer be enough. Here’s what you really need to consider when getting a will, and why professional advice is one of the kindest gifts you can give your loved ones.

Life Changes Faster Than You Think

Your will should reflect your current reality, not the one from five or ten years ago. Major life events can affect (or even revoke) an existing will:

• Marriage or civil partnership (which automatically revokes most prior wills unless made in contemplation of that marriage)
• Divorce or separation
• The birth of children or grandchildren
• Acquiring new property or significant assets
• The death of a beneficiary or executor
• Changes in tax laws or your financial circumstances. 

We recommend reviewing your will every three to five years, or immediately after any significant life event. A small investment of time now can prevent major headaches later.

Trusts for Added Protection

Whether for children or the vulnerable, or for tax efficiency, trusts can provide for protection against exploitation, for safeguarding of a means tested benefits entitlement and for the ongoing management, control and flexibility that a straightforward will cannot.

Charitable Legacies

Leaving a gift to charity remains one of the most meaningful ways to extend your values beyond your lifetime. Not only does it support causes close to your heart, but it can also offer inheritance tax benefits.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even well-intentioned wills can fall short. Common issues we see include:

• Relying on DIY templates or online services that may not meet formal legal requirements or account for your specific circumstances
• Failing to update after key life events, leading to invalid provisions or unexpected distributions
• Overlooking the practical burden placed on executors. The role is both an honour and a significant responsibility. Your executors must be able and responsible.
• Not planning for potential tax liabilities or future changes in legislation (including ongoing discussions around will law modernisation).

A Deed of Variation can sometimes help beneficiaries adjust distributions after death for tax or fairness reasons, but it is far better, and simpler, to get your wishes right from the start.