You have Got a Will – But You Want to Make Changes. What Now?

Most people know that having a will is vital. It helps wrap up your affairs, provide for your loved ones, and ensure that your wishes are followed after your death. If you already have a will – excellent. But as life changes, so might your wishes.

Whether it’s a change in relationships, new children or grandchildren, buying a property, or simply changing your mind, it’s important to update your will accordingly. As with anything this important, it’s always wise to seek legal advice before making any changes.

Here’s what you need to know.

Each serves a different purpose, depending on the changes you want to make.

1. Making a New Will

If you’re making substantial changes—or want to ensure clarity—it’s usually best to draft a new will.

This will revoke your previous one and avoids the confusion that can be caused by multiple documents.

We often recommend writing a new will where:

• There are numerous or complex changes
• Relationships or family structures have significantly changed
• There are updates to tax planning or inheritance intentions.

2. Making a Codicil to an Existing Will 

3. Writing a Letter of Wishes

A Letter of Wishes is a private document written by the client and addressed to their executors.

It is stored with your will and is typically used to express: –

• How you’d like your personal effects to be distributed (should you have detailed instructions that you don’t want to clutter your will with)
• How you’d like any trusts created by your will to be administered.

A will becomes a public document as and when your executors receive for a grant of probate, however any letter of wishes will remain a private document and confidential to your executors. A will can always include additional instructions to an executor, but if you would prefer these instructions to be candid and strictly private to your executors, a letter of wishes can be a useful alternative.

A letter of wishes can also be updated informally, and without any cost or procedure. It doesn’t even need to be witnessed. No-one else need even see what you’ve written whilst you are still alive.

A letter of wishes is not legally binding, only morally binding. You must be able to trust your executor’s character and judgment!

It’s a helpful supplement to your will, not a substitute.

When Should You Update Your Will?

It’s worth reviewing your will every few years, or after a change in your circumstances, for example: –

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth of a child or grandchild
• Death of a beneficiary or executor
• Major changes in assets or property
• Changes to tax or inheritance laws.

How Much Does It Cost?

Costs for codicils and letters of wishes are usually modest—typically less than an hour’s work for a solicitor. Creating a new will can be more involved, but still very cost-effective, especially compared to the costs and stress of disputes down the line.