Update Your Will Week 2026
Contested estate cases are on the rise. Yet nearly half of UK adults don’t have a will in place. If you’re one of them, now is the time to take action and protect your family from costly inheritance disputes.
This Update Your Will Week 2026 (from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th March 2026), introduced by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, is the perfect time to tick making or updating your will off your to-do list.
You can find out everything you need to know about wills here. And when you’re ready to take the next step, use our Find a Lawyer tool to find a trusted professional in your area.
If you’re an adult in the UK, you probably need a will.
An up-to-date, well-drafted will is essential if you have children, own a house, or have a pension.
But our research shows nearly half (48%) of adults in the UK don’t have a will in place. This number grows among those in their 40s and 50s – the life stage when legal planning matters most as they’re most likely to have dependent children, property, a blended family (where one or both partners have children from a previous relationship) or complex financial responsibilities.
If you die without a will, any assets (property, money, personal items etc.) that belonged to you must be distributed according to the strict rules of intestacy – which may not be how you expect or would want your estate to be shared. It can be hugely distressing for loved ones.
As long as you’re at least 18 years old, it’s never too early to make your will.
Lifetime Lawyers recommend that wills are reviewed and updated every five years, or when a major change occurs that impacts you or your loved ones.
For example, a marriage or civil partnership, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, a new birth, a death in your family, or if you or one of your beneficiaries has obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate.
A good will is an investment – so the cheapest option might not be the best one.
Some wills are written by unregulated will writers - individuals or firms who are not regulated by a regulatory body such as the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) or CILEx Regulation. They might draft wills that are not watertight or they might exclude certain assets that should be included – for instance, digital assets. This can lead to complications in the future, and unnecessary distress and heartache for loved ones.
Creating and updating your will with an experienced legal professional, such as a Lifetime Lawyer, ensures you have a will that is tailored to your exact circumstances and captures your wishes accurately.
Using an experienced legal professional can also help to limit inheritance tax – which can reduce costs in the long term.
“The reality is, without a will, or – even with one that’s out of date – confusion and uncertainty about someone’s wishes can quickly turn into painful inheritance disputes.
“Regular will reviews aren’t a luxury; they’re an essential part of protecting the people you care about.”
Emma Bryson, Board Director at The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and a Senior Associate in Michelmores Disputed Wills, Trusts & Estates team
Don’t leave the conversation until it’s too late – get connected with the right legal help now.
Find a Lifetime Lawyer near you.