Do I need to regularily update a will, or once made is it valid for life?

Answer 1

Once your will is signed and witnessed, it is legal and valid for life until you choose to have another one made, and if you do, your previous will becomes invalid. I would suggest a review of your will every 5 years or so, and if you do need to make any changes to it, you can either add a codicil to it, or if you want to totally change it, have a new one drafted. Always keep it at your solicitors for safe keeping, and they always (or should) have records of any wills kept and of any codicils added.

Answer 2

There is no reason to update a will unless something changes in your life which isn't in the will. The will would still be valid nonetheless, it just wouldn't contain any instructions in it on how that change should be handled. Everything else within the will would be handled according to the will.

Answer 3

Your Will will remain valid unless it is revoked or you get married or divorced. It is advisable to update your will every 6 years to take account of new circumstances such as having children, increased wealth etc.

If your circumstances remain unchanged, there is no need to review. BUT - be aware that if you change your mind about certain gifts you want to leave and you do not change your Will, if you should die, the last Will you signed (in date order) will stand.

Answer 4

A will is effective until it is terminated, revoked, or the persons estate is settled. You should review the will when any major lifestyle changes such as marriage, moving to another state, new children or grand-children, illness, inheritance, etc., or periodically to see if any changes in the tax code have effected the desires and purposes of your will. The same goes for other legal-medical documents.
In addition to the will, you should also have a durable power-of-attorney, a health care declaration or its equivalent, and depending on your circumstances, other documents such as trust etc.

Answer 5

It's valid for life, but it should be updated as your circumstance change.

Answer 6

I would think that one would want to update their will as different aspects of their life changes, for example, if you win the lottery, or if you have new things in your life that you'd want to see go to different people. Also, let's say you want to give something to someone,and they end up dying before you do, you would have to update it. Get what I mean?

Answer 7

Both. Once you approve it, it's good for life. But, as you get older, more stuff, and more women/kids, you need to update it to include them.

I would suggest you review it and make any necessary changes every 10 years.

Answer 8

I think it is valid for life unless you wish to up date it if circumstances change. You should leave it with a solicitor for safe keeping.

Answer 9

A will is valid for life providing no one sees its contents, You only need to update it either if you want to change some point ie who gets what or to change your address

Answer 10

It's good for life; there's no need to update it if nothing's changed. Howevver, when you get married, have kids, buy your first house, things like that, your life changes and your will should adequately reflect that.