How often should you review your will?

• Marriage or civil partnership. This normally cancels an earlier will, unless it was made in expectation of that marriage.
• Divorce or dissolution. Your will stays valid, but your former spouse is treated as if they had died before you, so any gift to them fails. You may also need to change who looks after your children.
• Children or grandchildren being born, or reaching adulthood.
• Moving home, or buying or selling property.
• The death or illness of a beneficiary, executor or guardian.
• A change in wealth, such as an inheritance, a business sale or retirement.
• A new relationship, including living together without marrying.

Many advisers suggest looking at your will every three to five years. Tax rules, family circumstances and your own wishes drift, and a quick check is cheap compared with the cost of an out-of-date will.

Never cross things out or add notes to a signed will. Changes need to be made properly, either with a formal amendment called a codicil, which also has to be signed and witnessed, or by making a new will. For anything more than a small change, a new will is usually clearer.

The same events can affect your Lasting Powers of Attorney. If an attorney can no longer act, or you want to choose someone different, you need to update the LPA while you still have capacity. See how to choose attorneys and executors.