What Are Spouses And Children in the Eyes of Will Writers?

LOVEBIRDS planning their wedding day have a thousand and one things to think about. But how many put re-writing their wills at the top of the list?

It is a little-known fact that a will becomes completely invalid when you get married or enter into a registered civil partnership – unless it contains a clause specifically expressing that expectation.

And did you know that a spouse or civil partner mentioned in a will retains the right to inherit even while divorce or dissolution proceedings are underway? The will is still valid if the decree absolute or the dissolution order is granted before the death but the spouse or civil partner is treated as if they had died, meaning they are no longer beneficiaries.

Another interesting fact is that a child that had been conceived but not born at the time of your death is still your offspring as far as your will is concerned. Your children mentioned in your will could also include those born in a former relationship or those born outside of a formal relationship or those adopted or those conceived artificially within a marriage.

Heritage Will Writing, on 02380 879243, recommends that you update your will following a marriage or divorce.