✅
Free Compliance Tool
UK Will Review Compliance Checklist
Review your existing will to ensure it remains valid, up to date, and reflects your current wishes.
This interactive checklist covers:
• Basic Validity
• Executors
• Guardians (If You Have Children Under 18)
• Beneficiaries
• Assets and Specific Gifts
• Life Changes
• Practical Matters
All 40 compliance points are covered. The template handles all of them automatically.
This interactive checklist covers:
• Basic Validity
• Executors
• Guardians (If You Have Children Under 18)
• Beneficiaries
• Assets and Specific Gifts
• Life Changes
• Practical Matters
All 40 compliance points are covered. The template handles all of them automatically.
Interactive checklist • Save progress • Download as PDF • Full version unlocks free with email
Or skip the checklist — have it all done for you with the template for £10 →
Or skip the checklist — have it all done for you with the template for £10 →
How to Use This Checklist
Click each checkbox to mark items as complete. Your progress is automatically saved to your browser. Use this checklist to verify every requirement before, during, and after creating your Will Review.
✅ Preparing Your Will Review
1. Before starting: Gather all relevant documentation and information before starting
2. While completing: Verify every section against all 40 compliance points
3. Before signing: Review all sections for completeness before finalising
⚠️ Key Will Review Requirements
📋 Key Purpose: A Will Review ensures your existing will remains valid, reflects your current circumstances, and properly provides for your beneficiaries. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, children, and property purchases can all affect your will.
⚖️ Legal Framework: Governed by the Wills Act 1837 and the Administration of Estates Act 1925. Marriage automatically revokes a will unless made in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce does not revoke a will but affects gifts to the former spouse.
🚫 Critical Requirements: Check validity (proper execution, witnesses), review beneficiary details, update executor appointments, and ensure the will reflects current assets and wishes.
📝 Best Practice: Review your will every 3-5 years or after any major life event. Consider inheritance tax implications, ensure guardianship provisions are current, and verify all named individuals are still appropriate.
🔵 Understanding Importance Levels
🔴 Critical: Must have — legally required or essential for enforceability
🟡 Important: Should have — protects your position and prevents disputes
🔵 Recommended: Nice to have — best practice for comprehensive coverage
1. Basic Validity (5 items)
Original Will in Your Possession
You have the original signed will, not just a photocopy. Probate registries require the original document. If you only have a copy, there's a presumption the will was destroyed intentionally (revoked). The original should be stored safely - with solicitors, in a safe, or with executors.
🔴 Critical
Properly Signed and Witnessed
Your will was signed by you and witnessed by two independent adults who were present at the same time. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries. Invalid witnessing means the will may not be valid. Check signatures are present and dated.
🔴 Critical
Not Married After Making Will
You have NOT married or entered a civil partnership since making your will. Marriage automatically revokes your will in England and Wales (unless the will was made "in contemplation of marriage" to that specific person). If you married after making your will, you likely need a new will immediately.
🔴 Critical
Will is Clearly Dated
The will states the date it was signed. This proves which will is the most recent if multiple versions exist. The date also helps establish your capacity at the time of signing. Undated wills can cause probate delays and disputes.
🟡 Important
Will Made Recently (Within 5 Years)
Your will was made less than 5 years ago. While wills don't expire, older wills are more likely to be out of date due to life changes, asset changes, and outdated provisions. Best practice is to review your will every 3-5 years even if nothing has changed.
🔵 Recommended
UK Will Review Compliance Checklist
40 Points | www.templatesuk.com
2. Executors (5 items)
All Named Executors Still Alive
All executors named in your will are still living. If an executor has died, the remaining executors can still act (if you named multiple). If your only executor has died, the probate court may appoint someone, but this causes delays. Always name substitute executors.
🔴 Critical
Executors Still Willing to Act
Your named executors are still willing to serve. People's circumstances change - they may have moved abroad, become too busy, or simply changed their mind. Executors can renounce their role, but this causes delays. Check with your executors they're still happy to serve.
🔴 Critical
Executors Capable of Acting
Your executors are physically and mentally capable of administering your estate. Consider their age, health, mental capacity, and location. An executor living abroad or in poor health may struggle to fulfill their duties. Executors must apply for probate, collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate.
🟡 Important
Good Relationship with Executors
You still trust your executors and have a good relationship with them. Executors have significant power over your estate and must act in beneficiaries' interests. Family disputes, divorces, or fallings-out may mean your chosen executor is no longer appropriate.
🟡 Important
Backup Executors Named
You have named substitute (replacement) executors in case your primary executors cannot or will not serve. This prevents probate delays if an executor dies before you, renounces, or is unable to act. Always name at least one substitute executor.
🟡 Important
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3. Guardians (If You Have Children Under 18) (5 items)
Guardians Named for Minor Children
You have appointed guardians in your will to care for your children if both parents die. Without named guardians, the court decides who raises your children - this may not align with your wishes. Guardians only take effect if both parents (with parental responsibility) have died.
🔴 Critical
Named Guardians Still Alive and Able
Your appointed guardians are still living and physically/mentally capable of caring for children. Guardians may have aged, become ill, or circumstances may have changed. Check your guardians are still in a position to take on this responsibility.
🔴 Critical
Guardians Still Appropriate
Your guardians are still suitable given their current circumstances. They may have moved abroad, divorced, had more children, developed health issues, or experienced financial difficulties. The person you chose 10 years ago may no longer be the right choice today.
🟡 Important
Guardianship Discussed with Appointees
You have discussed guardianship with the people you named and they have agreed. Guardianship is a significant responsibility - people should know about and consent to their appointment. While they can decline after your death, prior discussion ensures they're willing and prepared.
🔵 Recommended
Alternative Guardians Named
You have named substitute guardians in case your first choice cannot or will not serve. This prevents court intervention if your primary guardians die before you, decline, or are unable to care for your children. Always name backup guardians.
🔵 Recommended
4. Beneficiaries (5 items)
All Named Beneficiaries Still Alive
All beneficiaries named in your will are still living. If a beneficiary has died, their gift fails unless you named substitutes. The failed gift may fall into your residuary estate or pass under intestacy rules. Check whether you named substitute beneficiaries or included survivorship clauses.
🔴 Critical
Still Want Same People to Inherit
You still want the same people to benefit from your estate. Relationships change over time. You may have fallen out with beneficiaries, they may have treated you poorly, or you may simply wish to change the distribution. Your will should reflect your current wishes.
🔴 Critical
No New People to Include
There are no new people you want to add as beneficiaries. Common additions include: new children or grandchildren born after the will was made, new spouse or partner, new friends or godchildren. If you want to include someone new, you need a codicil or new will.
🟡 Important
No One to Exclude
There is no one you now want to exclude from inheriting. You may have become estranged from a beneficiary, they may have caused you harm, or you may have divorced. Note: you cannot completely disinherit certain people (spouses, children) who may claim under the Inheritance Act if not adequately provided for.
🟡 Important
Shares and Amounts Still Appropriate
The distribution percentages or fixed amounts each person receives are still fair and appropriate. Circumstances change - one child may need more support, asset values may have changed significantly, or inflation may have eroded fixed cash legacies. Review whether your distribution still reflects your intentions.
🟡 Important
⚡
Instant Download
You've Done the Research. Now Finish It.
Complete will review template – all clauses included, professionally drafted.
Fill in your details in minutes and you're done.
£10 – Own It Forever
Create Your Will Review Now
→
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
Preview before you buy • Lifetime updates • No subscription
5. Assets and Specific Gifts (5 items)
Still Own All Specific Items
You still own all specific items mentioned in your will (property addresses, jewelry, vehicles, collections). If you've sold an item or it no longer exists, that gift fails (ademption). The beneficiary receives nothing instead. Avoid referring to specific items unless using a separate letter of wishes.
🟡 Important
No Significant New Assets
You have not acquired significant new assets since making your will. Major acquisitions might include: buying property, substantial investments, inheriting money, starting a business, acquiring valuable collections. New assets fall into your residuary estate, but you may want specific provisions for them.
🟡 Important
Fixed Cash Amounts Still Appropriate
Any fixed cash legacies in your will are still reasonable given inflation and your current estate value. A £5,000 legacy may have seemed generous 15 years ago but may not reflect your intentions today. Consider whether fixed amounts should be updated or expressed as percentages instead.
🔵 Recommended
Estate Value Not Significantly Changed
Your overall estate value has not changed dramatically since making your will. Major increases or decreases in estate value may affect the fairness of your distribution. Property price rises, investment gains/losses, or business value changes may mean your will no longer distributes assets as you intended proportionally.
🔵 Recommended
Inheritance Tax Considered
You have considered inheritance tax implications of your estate distribution. The nil-rate band (currently £325,000) and residence nil-rate band (£175,000) may apply. Estates over these thresholds pay 40% tax. Tax planning provisions like trusts, charitable legacies, or gifts may reduce IHT. Review if your estate now exceeds thresholds.
🔵 Recommended
6. Life Changes (10 items)
No Marriage Since Making Will
You have NOT married or entered a civil partnership since making your will. Marriage automatically revokes your will in England and Wales (unless made "in contemplation of" that specific marriage). If you married after your will, it is likely invalid and you need a new will immediately.
🔴 Critical
No Divorce Since Making Will
You have not divorced or dissolved a civil partnership since making your will. Divorce automatically removes your ex-spouse as executor and beneficiary, but the rest of your will remains valid. However, you should review your entire will after divorce as it may no longer reflect your wishes.
🔴 Critical
No New Children or Grandchildren
You have not had any children born or adopted since making your will. New children are not automatically included - they may receive nothing or only a statutory legacy under intestacy if your will doesn't cover them. Always update your will when children or grandchildren are born.
🔴 Critical
No Beneficiary, Executor or Guardian Deaths
No beneficiaries, executors, or guardians named in your will have died. Death of these key people means your will may not work as intended. Beneficiary gifts may fail, executors cannot act, and guardians cannot care for children. Update your will whenever anyone named in it dies.
🔴 Critical
No Property Bought or Sold
You have not bought or sold property since making your will. Buying property increases your estate value and may affect inheritance tax. Selling property mentioned in your will means that specific gift fails. Property is often the most valuable asset, so changes require will review.
🟡 Important
No Business Started or Closed
You have not started or closed a business since making your will. Business interests require specific provisions for succession, valuation, and whether executors should continue or sell the business. Business assets can significantly affect estate value and distribution.
🟡 Important
No Inheritance Received
You have not received a significant inheritance since making your will. Inherited assets increase your estate value and may push you over inheritance tax thresholds. You may also want to pass inherited assets to specific beneficiaries rather than having them fall into your residuary estate.
🟡 Important
Not Moved to Different Country
You have not moved to or acquired assets in a different country since making your will. Different countries have different succession laws. Some countries have forced heirship rules that override your will. Moving abroad or acquiring foreign assets may require additional wills or specific provisions.
🟡 Important
No Significant Health Changes
Your health has not changed significantly since making your will. Serious illness may mean you want to update funeral wishes, advance care plans, or reconsider who manages your affairs. You may also want to ensure your will is definitely valid if your capacity could be questioned.
🔵 Recommended
No Relationship Breakdowns
You have not had a significant relationship breakdown with any beneficiary or executor since making your will. Family disputes, estrangement, or falling out with executors may mean your will no longer reflects your wishes or your chosen executors are no longer appropriate.
🟡 Important
7. Practical Matters (5 items)
Executors Know Where to Find Will
Your executors know where your will is stored and how to access it. Common storage locations include: with your solicitor, in a bank safe deposit box, at home in a safe or secure location, registered with a will storage company. Executors need the original will to apply for probate.
🔴 Critical
Up-to-Date Asset List
You have an up-to-date list of all your assets: properties, bank accounts, investments, pensions, insurance policies, valuable possessions. This list (kept separate from your will) helps executors identify and locate everything you own. Update it regularly and tell executors where to find it.
🟡 Important
Funeral Wishes Recorded Separately
You have recorded your funeral wishes separately from your will in a letter of wishes or separate document. Wills are often not read until after the funeral. Executors need to know your wishes immediately: burial or cremation, location, religious service, organ donation, funeral preferences.
🟡 Important
Digital Assets Considered
You have considered what happens to your digital assets: online accounts, social media, email, photos stored in cloud, cryptocurrency, digital currencies, online businesses, domain names. Provide executors with information on accessing these (separate from your will) or use a digital legacy service.
🔵 Recommended
Lasting Power of Attorney in Place
You have made Lasting Powers of Attorney for property/financial affairs and health/welfare. LPAs cover decisions while you're alive but lack capacity. Wills only take effect on death. LPAs are essential to prevent court-appointed deputies managing your affairs if you lose capacity through illness or injury.
🔵 Recommended
A free tool provided by 
www.templatesuk.com
www.templatesuk.com
⚡
Instant Download
You've Done the Research. Now Finish It.
Complete will review template – all clauses included, professionally drafted.
Fill in your details in minutes and you're done.
£10 – Own It Forever
Create Your Will Review Now
→
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
Preview before you buy • Lifetime updates • No subscription
Next Steps
Now that you've reviewed the compliance checklist, you have three options:
✅ Use Our Ready-Made Template
Save hours of research and drafting. Our professionally-crafted Will Review template covers all 40 compliance points with comprehensive will review guidance, validity checks, beneficiary updates, executor review, and inheritance tax considerations. Structured following Wills Act 1837 requirements. Available in both Smart Interview (guided) and Classic Editor (direct editing) modes for just £10.
✔ UK Law Only | ✔ Instant Download | ✔ Lifetime Updates | ✔ No Subscriptions
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee*
📝 Draft Your Own Will Review
Use this checklist as your guide, but remember: an outdated will can lead to unintended beneficiaries, family disputes, and unnecessary inheritance tax. The most common issues are: wills revoked by marriage, outdated executor appointments, and missing assets.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep information accurate and up to date, the law is complex and subject to change. Every situation is unique. This checklist applies to will reviews in England and Wales. Last updated: May 2026.