Is your Will still right for you?

This Update Your Will Week (2nd – 8th March 2026), we are proud to support The Association of Lifetime Lawyers in highlighting the importance of not only making a Will, but also reviewing and updating it whenever personal circumstances change.

A Will is far more than just a legal document. It captures your wishes, protects your loved ones, and safeguards the legacy you want to leave behind.

Modern families are changing rapidly, and people often wrongly assume that their loved ones will be automatically taken care of. However, without clear and legally valid instructions, families and partners can face uncertainty, distress, and even costly disputes – often discovering too late that assumptions do not provide protection under the law and can have serious consequences.

Why updating your will matters

Your Will ensures that your money, property, and personal possessions pass to the people you choose. If you have children under the age of 18, you can also appoint legal guardians in your Will. And if you have pets, you can decide who will look after them after your passing. But when did you last review yours?

If your Will is not up to date or you don’t have a Will:

• Your estate may be distributed under the intestacy rules, which might not reflect your wishes or your family’s needs.
• Loved ones could face unnecessary stress, delays, or legal disagreements at an already difficult time.

When should you update your Will?

It’s best practice to review your will every five years or after any major life event, such as:

• Getting married or entering a civil partnership
• Getting divorced or dissolving a civil partnership
• Becoming a parent or grandparent
• Buying a home or changing your financial situation
• Losing a loved one
• Starting a business
• You or a beneficiary obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate

Need to make or update your Will?

If it’s been a while since you last looked at your Will – or you don’t have one yet – now is the time to take action.

At Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, our later‑life legal work is supported by Kathryn Ingram, a fully accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, together with our highly experienced Wills, Probate & Inheritance team. We help families put clear, practical arrangements in place that genuinely reflect their lives and wishes.

We aim to provide personalised support with care, empathy, and attention to detail, ensuring your wishes are clearly documented and legally protected.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, ensure your future wishes are in place today.

If you need to make or update a Will, please contact our Wills, Probate and Inheritance team on 01228 516666.