EditorJust married? You might have accidentally cancelled your Will – and 54% of people in Wales don’t know it
That’s the shocking finding from new research by Will Aid, which revealed 54% of people in Wales had no idea that tying the knot wipes the legal slate clean when it comes to Wills.
It means thousands of families could be left facing heartbreak and confusion, with estates divided under strict intestacy rules rather than according to personal wishes.
The law that catches people out
The rule isn’t new – it dates back to the Wills Act 1837 – but it’s still tripping people up nearly 200 years later.
Unless you make a new Will after marriage (or one that specifically states it’s “in contemplation of marriage”), your old Will is automatically revoked.
The Law Commission is currently reviewing the law, with draft reforms aimed at preventing so‑called “predatory marriages” – where someone marries with the intention of inheriting. But until any changes are passed, the rule still stands.
Why it matters
Legal experts say the consequences can be devastating.
Chris Adiole, Director at Penerley Solicitors, said:
“I often come across people who assume their existing Will continues to stand after they get married, and they’re genuinely surprised to learn that the law cancels it automatically. That can cause real problems for families, leaving everything up in the air at the worst possible time.”
Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, added:
“It is shocking that so many people are unaware. This could mean children from a previous relationship are unintentionally disinherited, or that estates are distributed in a way the deceased never intended.”
What you should do
Will Aid is urging anyone who marries or remarries to make a new Will immediately if they want their estate to be passed on according to their wishes.
The charity’s annual campaign runs every November, when participating solicitors across the UK waive their usual fees to write basic Wills in exchange for a donation. Suggested donations are £120 for a single Will and £200 for a pair of mirror Wills, with all proceeds supporting charities including Age UK, British Red Cross, NSPCC, Shelter and Crisis.
Appointments are available now, either in person or remotely.
The takeaway:
If you’ve just said “I do” – your Will just said “I don’t.” Unless you write a new one, the law decides who gets what.
#law #LawCommission #legalAdvice #Marriage #solicitors #Will #WillAid #WillsAct
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