Update Your Will Week 2026: Why This Week Matters – 2 to 8 March, 2026
This week, we’re supporting Update Your Will Week 2026, an annual awareness campaign championed by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, which encourages people across the UK to make a Will, or review an existing one, to ensure their wishes are clearly recorded and legally protected.
Despite its importance, many adults in the UK still do not have a Will, and almost half of those who do haven’t reviewed it in years. Life changes quickly, and an out-of-date Will can cause uncertainty, delays and unnecessary stress for loved ones at an already difficult time.
That’s why we’ll be highlighting Update Your Will Week across our social media channels throughout the week, sharing practical advice and reminders to help people take action.
Do I really need a Will?
In short: yes.
If you die without a Will, you are classed as having died intestate. This means your estate will be distributed according to UK intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes or protect the people you care about.
A professionally drafted Will allows you to:
- Decide who benefits from your estate
- Appoint guardians for children under 18
- Name an executor to manage your affairs
- Set out funeral wishes
- Reduce the risk of disputes or delays.
When should you update your Will?
As a general rule, you should review your Will every five years and after any major life change, including:
- Marriage (this usually cancels any previous Will)
- Separation or divorce
- The birth of a child
- Moving house
- The death of an executor.
Minor changes can sometimes be made using a codicil, but major changes are best handled by making a new Will that revokes all previous versions.
Making sure your Will is legal
For a Will to be legally valid in the UK, you must:
- Be 18 or over
- Make it voluntarily and be of sound mind
- Put it in writing
- Sign it in the presence of two witnesses (both over 18)
- Have both witnesses sign the same document.
Witnesses, and their spouses, cannot benefit from your Will.
Choosing a Will writer: what you should know
There are several ways to write a Will, including doing it yourself, using a regulated professional (such as a solicitor), or using an unregulated professional Will writer.
If you use a regulated legal professional, they must follow strict standards and codes of conduct. Depending on where you live, complaints may be handled by bodies such as the Legal Ombudsman or relevant legal regulators. You may also have access to compensation if something goes wrong.
Unregulated Will writers can offer lower-cost services, but protections and complaint routes can vary. It’s important to:
- Check qualifications, experience and insurance
- Understand exactly what service is being provided
- Be clear on costs and avoid unexpected add-ons
- Shop around and compare at least three providers.
Extra services: know what’s optional
Some Will writers may offer additional services, such as Will storage, update subscriptions or acting as a professional executor. These services are not required for a valid Will and may involve future costs to your estate.
If you’re considering Will storage, it’s worth understanding how and where your Will will be kept, including options such as storage with HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
A good time to take action
Update Your Will Week is a timely reminder to put plans in place while you can. Whether you’re writing your first Will or reviewing an existing one, taking action now can give you, and your loved ones, peace of mind.
Follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn throughout the week as we share key tips, reminders and guidance to help you get started.
If you would like advice on making or reviewing a Will, or on Lasting Powers of Attorney, our Lifetime Planning team will be happy to help.
Contact us today to learn how our team can support you through making or reviewing your Will.