NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 7, 2026 / Many Britons unaware that marriage, divorce, and new children can invalidate or complicate existing estate plans

A UK solicitor has identified five common life events that should prompt families to create or update their wills, warning that many people overlook critical moments that change how their estate would be distributed.

James, Solicitor at Wills Trusts LPA, says January brings a wave of enquiries from people who experienced major life changes during the previous year but never updated their legal documents.

"People assume their will still works after big life events," James said. "Often it does not. Marriage alone can wipe out everything you previously arranged. I see families every year who had no idea."

1. Getting Married

Marriage automatically revokes any existing will under English and Welsh law. This catches many couples off guard.

Someone who made a will five years ago, then married last summer, currently has no valid will at all. If they died tomorrow, intestacy rules would apply. Their wishes from the previous document would count for nothing.

The only exception is a will made "in contemplation of marriage" to a specific person. These are rare. Most people do not know to ask for one.

Couples should make new wills shortly after marrying. Mirror wills, which cover both partners with matching terms, cost £69 through Wills Trusts LPA.

2. Having Children

New parents face a question most would rather not think about: who raises the children if both parents die?

Without a will naming guardians, courts decide. Judges consider family circumstances and children's welfare. They may choose someone the parents would never have picked. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even family friends can end up in legal battles over the outcome.

A will settles the matter clearly. Parents name their preferred guardians. They can also set up trusts controlling when children inherit money, rather than handing over everything at age 18.

"Young parents are the group who need wills most and have them least," James said. "Nobody wants to imagine dying while their kids are small. But that is exactly when planning matters."

3. Buying Property

Homeownership changes the stakes. Property is typically the largest asset people own. How it passes after death depends on ownership structure and what the will says.

Joint tenants automatically inherit each other's share. Tenants in common do not. Many couples assume they are one type when they are actually the other. The wrong assumption can send half a house to unintended recipients.

Anyone buying property should check their ownership structure and ensure their will reflects their actual intentions. Mortgage providers do not explain these distinctions during the purchase process.

4. Divorce or Separation

Divorce does not automatically remove an ex-spouse from a will. Under current law, a divorced former partner is treated as having died on the date the divorce became final. This affects what they inherit directly. But it can create unexpected consequences elsewhere in the document.

If the ex-spouse was named as executor, that appointment fails. If they were the backup beneficiary for children's inheritance, someone else might receive it instead. If they were named as guardian, courts must find an alternative.

Separated couples face even more complexity. Until divorce is finalised, a spouse retains full inheritance rights. Someone who separated years ago but never completed the legal process may still be their estranged partner's main beneficiary.

Updating wills should happen alongside divorce proceedings, not months or years afterward.

5. Serious Health Diagnosis

A health scare often prompts people to finally address estate planning. But timing matters here too.

Wills require mental capacity. Someone must understand what they own, who might have claims on it, and what the will actually does. Conditions affecting memory or cognition can raise questions about capacity.

Creating a will while healthy avoids these problems. Nobody can challenge whether the person understood what they were signing.

Lasting powers of attorney matter here too. These documents let trusted people manage finances or health decisions if someone loses capacity. They must be set up while the person still has capacity to grant them. Waiting until after a diagnosis may be waiting too long.

January Timing

The new year prompts reflection. People think about what changed over the past twelve months and what they want to sort out going forward.

Wills sit near the top of many lists. But the perceived cost and hassle often pushes them down again.

Will writing services online have removed most of these barriers. Wills Trusts LPA offers solicitor-reviewed wills from £39. The process takes around ten minutes. Documents are checked by qualified solicitors before delivery.

The firm provides £2,000,000 professional liability insurance, registration with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and a money-back guarantee. Additional services include printing, postal delivery, secure storage, and annual updates.

Checking an Existing Will

Anyone who has experienced these life events should review their current will. Key questions include:

• Was it made before or after marriage?

• Does it name guardians for any minor children?

• Does it reflect current property ownership?

• Are any ex-partners still named?

• Was the person in good health when they signed it?

If any answers raise concerns, a new will costs far less than the problems an outdated one can cause.

About Wills Trusts LPA

Wills Trusts LPA provides online will writing, lasting powers of attorney, and probate services across England and Wales. Every will is reviewed by a qualified solicitor before delivery. Services are backed by £2,000,000 professional liability insurance and Solicitors Regulation Authority membership.

For more information, visit https://willstrustslpa.co.uk/ or https://willstrustslpa.co.uk/serviceareas/online/

Media Contact:

Wills Trusts LPA
Email: james@willstrustslpa.co.uk
Phone: 0121 285 3282
Website: willstrustslpa.co.uk

SOURCE: Wills Trusts LPA