Six essential steps to updating your Will

21 February 2025

Find out the six essential steps to keeping your Will updated. 

Le Thi Mong Thu, 35, is a member of the Kinh Lon village's women's group.

Le Thi, 35, gathers 20-30 kg of water lilies twice a week in Kinh Lon village, selling them for VND 4,000 ($0.17) per kilo in Tra Vinh city, Vietnam. Photo: Yen Duong/ActionAid

Writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that your wishes are respected after you're gone and so that your loved ones are cared for.  

Just as life changes, so too should your Will. Reviewing your Will regularly guarantees that it reflects your most current wishes and up-to-date circumstances.

Here are six, easy steps on how to do this.

  • Joyce Akol, a 35-year-old mother of five in Uganda. Frank Byaruhanga/ActionAid

    1. Review your existing Will

    Begin by reading through your current Will. Check for any outdated information or personal assets that have been sold or acquired since your last update. 

  • Sopheap, 55 years old, is a married farmer and has two children

    2. Consider significant life changes

    If you’ve recently got married or entered a civil partnership, it’s crucial to update your Will to ensure your spouse or partner is included as a beneficiary.  

    Or you've just welcomed the birth of a child or grandchild and you wish to include them as beneficiaries.

    Maybe you want to update the executor of your Will, the person to administer your estate, or you may wish to update your Will after a divorce or separation – it’s important to note that in England and Wales, a Will becomes invalid after a divorce.  

  • Juliet is the Chair of Community Transformation Agenda (COTA), ActionAid's partner in Imvepi refugee settlement

    3. Update guardianship provisions

    If you have young children or dependents, it’s essential to update the guardianship provisions in your Will. If your chosen guardian can no longer take on the responsibility, or if your children’s needs have changed, you should update this part of the Will. 

  • Immaculee and Amina working together at their cooperative The Light of Nyanza

    4. Consider charitable contributions

    You may also want to think about leaving charitable donations and consider leaving a legacy to a cause close to your heart, such as ActionAid UK, to stand alongside women and girls who are standing against poverty and injustice worldwide.

  • Village Saving Loans (V.S.L.A) Group in Kenya.

    5. Get your Will updated for free  

    Once you've gathered all the necessary information, consult with a Will-writing professional or service.   ActionAid UK offer an easy, free Will-writing service through our partnership with Octopus Legacy.

    Find out more about updating your Will

  • Hellen, Suya, and Eva of the Loketa Women's and Girls Centre

    6. Store your Will safely

    Keep your updated Will in a safe place and make sure your executor knows where to find it when the time comes. 

Write and update your Will with ActionAid

Updating your Will has never been easier!

ActionAid partner and expert Will writer Octopus Legacy make it simpler than ever to amend your Will. 

Find out how