Does divorce cancel my will in the UK?
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In short: In England and Wales divorce does not wipe your whole will, but gifts and appointments to your ex-spouse or ex-civil partner are usually treated as if they had died. Remarriage or a new civil partnership does revoke a previous will. After divorce, [make a new will](swiftwill.co.uk*).
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Marriage or civil partnership generally cancels an earlier will unless it was made expressly in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce or dissolution is different: the will usually stays valid, but clauses that leave property to — or appoint as executor or guardian — your former spouse or civil partner are read as if that person had died before you.
That can leave gaps: residue may fall to other beneficiaries differently than you intend, or you may have no effective executor. Separation without divorce does not automatically change your will — update it if your wishes have moved on.
Best practice after divorce, remarriage or a new long-term relationship: sign a fresh [will](swiftwill.co.uk*) that revokes all earlier wills. SwiftWill is from around £35 once for a single England and Wales will, with free lifetime updates when you re-sign. Official guidance: www.gov.uk/make-will
Primary source: gov.uk/make-will
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