Does marriage revoke a will made years ago?

Yes. It makes no difference whether the will was written last year or twenty years ago — marrying or forming a civil partnership revokes it in full, unless it was made in contemplation of that specific marriage.

Does the same rule apply to civil partnerships?

Yes. Forming a civil partnership revokes an existing will in exactly the same way as marriage, under the same provision of the Wills Act 1837.

Does divorce revoke a will too?

No — divorce works differently. Your will stays valid, but your ex-spouse is treated as having died on the divorce date: gifts to them and their appointment as executor lapse, while the rest of the will stands.

What counts as a will made in contemplation of marriage?

The will must expressly state that it is made in contemplation of your marriage to a named person, and that you intend it to remain in force after the ceremony. A general expectation of marrying someday is not enough.

We're getting married soon — should we make wills before or after?

Either works, as long as there is no gap. Make wills in contemplation of the marriage beforehand, or make new wills straight after the ceremony — many couples do the latter as mirror wills.

Does Marriage Revoke a Will? UK Rules (2026)

Does marriage revoke a will?

Quick answer

Yes. In England and Wales, getting married or forming a civil partnership automatically revokes any will you made before — unless that will was specifically made in contemplation of the marriage. If you marry without making a new will, you die intestate, and the intestacy rules decide who inherits.

The rule: marriage cancels your will

Under section 18 of the Wills Act 1837, a will is automatically revoked when the person who made it marries or forms a civil partnership. It does not matter how recent the will is, how much thought went into it, or whether you still agree with every word — once the ceremony is complete, the document ceases to have effect.

The logic is historical: marriage changes your family situation so profoundly that the law assumes you would want to start again. The assumption is usually right — the danger is that many people never get around to the starting again.

The one exception: a will made in contemplation of marriage

A will can survive a wedding if it was expressly made in contemplation of that marriage. The will must say so — naming the person you intend to marry and stating that it is to remain in force after the ceremony. A vague sense that you might marry one day is not enough. This is a useful device for engaged couples who want their affairs settled before the big day, but the wording has to be exactly right.

What happens if you marry without making a new will

Your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules instead of your wishes. Your new spouse or civil partner is first in line: if you have no children, they inherit everything. If you do have children, your spouse receives your personal belongings, the first £322,000 of the estate, and half of what remains — your children share the other half equally.

That outcome surprises many families. Children from a previous relationship can receive far less than you intended, and anything you meant for parents, siblings, friends or charities simply disappears.

The simple fix: make a new will

The cleanest approach for most couples is to make new wills shortly after the wedding — often as mirror wills, the near-identical reciprocal wills most married couples choose. If you already have a will and your plans otherwise stand, our guide to changing your will explains how revocation and replacement work. Either way, do not leave the gap: you can make your will in about 15 minutes with SwiftWill, and update it free for life as your family grows.