--- title: "Changing your will" description: "A fresh will that revokes the old one is cleaner than a codicil. Marriage still cancels a will unless made in contemplation of it." url: "https://swiftwill.co.uk/changing-your-will/" author: "Marcus Kaiser" date_modified: "2026-08-22" --- # Changing your will For anything significant, making a fresh will that revokes the old one is cleaner than a codicil — and with SwiftWill, updates are free for life: re-open the interview, regenerate, re-print and re-sign with two witnesses. Remember: marriage automatically cancels an existing will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage. > SwiftWill provides legal information and software for England & Wales under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Figures are taken from gov.uk, legislation.gov.uk and HMCTS, checked 12 August 2026. We have not given you legal advice — this is general information. ## Which life events change a will automatically? **Marriage revokes.** Getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically cancels any will you already have, unless that will was expressly made in contemplation of that specific marriage — see [gov.uk/make-will](https://www.gov.uk/make-will) . Marry without a new will and the [intestacy rules](/intestacy-rules/) decide everything. **Divorce amends by default.** Divorce or dissolution does not revoke the will, but treats your ex-spouse or ex-civil partner as having died before you: gifts to them lapse, and any appointment of them as executor lapses. The rest of the will stands — which is rarely exactly what you would have chosen. ## Should you use a codicil or make a fresh will? | Codicil | Fresh will | | --- | --- | | A separate amendment document kept with the will | One clean document that revokes all earlier wills and codicils | | Must be signed and witnessed exactly like a will — same ceremony, no saving | Signed and witnessed once, then you are done | | Two documents to keep together, interpret and not lose | Old versions destroyed — no confusion about which document governs | | Suits only tiny changes | Suits everything — and is free with SwiftWill, for life | ## When should you update your will? - Marriage or civil partnership (your old will is already cancelled) - Divorce or dissolution - A legal name change — a name change does not revoke a will, but a will in your old name slows probate. Read [name change and your will](/changing-your-name/), finish the [Instant Deed Poll](https://instantdeedpoll.co.uk/) and ID updates, then remake the will in your current name (free on SwiftWill). - A new child or grandchild - A beneficiary, executor or guardian dies or becomes unable to act - Buying or selling a home, or a big change in what you own - Your children reaching 18 — review guardianship and trust ages ## How do you update a SwiftWill for free? Because updates are free for life, the default advice is simple: log back in, update your answers, download a fresh will instantly, print it, sign it with two witnesses (the same ceremony as before — see [the exact rules](/how-to-sign-a-will/)), and destroy the old signed original. The new will's revocation clause cancels every earlier will and codicil automatically. No £10-a-year update subscription, ever. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does getting married cancel my will? Yes. Marriage or entering a civil partnership automatically revokes an existing will, unless the will was expressly made in contemplation of that specific marriage. If you are about to marry, either make your will after the ceremony or make it expressly in contemplation of the marriage, naming your intended spouse. ### What does divorce do to my will? Divorce or dissolution does not revoke the will, but treats your ex-spouse or ex-civil partner as having died before you: gifts to them lapse and any appointment of them as executor lapses. The rest of the will stands. Most people still prefer a clean rewrite after divorce. ### What is a codicil and when should I use one? A codicil is a separate amendment document that must be signed and witnessed exactly like a will — two witnesses, same ceremony. It suits only tiny changes (a new executor address, a small extra gift). For anything significant, a fresh will that revokes the old one is cleaner and less dispute-prone. ### Can I just cross things out and write on my will? No. Alterations made after signing are not valid unless the amendment itself is signed and witnessed like a will — and messy handwritten changes are a classic ground for disputes. Never amend a signed will by hand; make a new one and destroy the old. ### How often should I update my will? After every big life change: marriage (which cancels the will automatically), divorce, a legal name change, a new child or grandchild, a death among your beneficiaries or executors, moving house, or a significant change in what you own. A five-minute review once a year is a good habit. ### I changed my name — do I need a new will? A name change does not cancel a will the way marriage usually does, but a will in your old name slows probate. Finish the deed poll and ID updates (we do not sell deed polls — Instant Deed Poll at instantdeedpoll.co.uk is a related service from the same company), then use a free SwiftWill update and re-sign in your current name. Full guide: /changing-your-name/. ### How do free lifetime updates work with SwiftWill? Log back in with your email, update your answers, and download a fresh will instantly — free, forever. Print it, sign it with two witnesses, and destroy the old signed original. The new will's revocation clause automatically cancels every earlier will. Canonical HTML: https://swiftwill.co.uk/changing-your-will/ Markdown: https://swiftwill.co.uk/changing-your-will.md Last modified: 2026-08-22 Author: Marcus Kaiser (https://swiftwill.co.uk/author/marcus-kaiser/)