Most people are not aware that when you marry, your Will is automatically revoked. This can have devastating consequences for the children of the family. 

Let’s say Simon and Nikki had been married before. They both have Wills leaving their estates to their respective children. They marry and never give their Wills a second thought. Simon dies and his child, Mayson, who is now 25, instructs a solicitor to assist in administrating his father’s estate. Mayson learns that on marriage, his father’s Will was revoked. Under intestacy rules (dying without a Will) his new wife, Nikki, inherited everything. Nikki refused to give Mayson any part of his father’s estate. This was not what Simon had intended and certainly not what he would have wanted for Mayson. But now it’s too late.

There is a way to prevent this situation happening in the first place.

We recommend you review your Will every time you have a life changing event. This might be marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the purchase of a new home, receiving inheritance from your parents. If you have no life changing events, review your Will at least every 3-5 years. If you want to make a Will, review your Will or change your Will, CONTACT JULIE ATKINSON-MCGREGOR ON 0191 455 3181 for an appointment today.

It’s never too early to plan for the final journey.