General information only — not legal advice. This guide suggests sensible review habits for your will in general terms. There is no legal rule about how often to update a will — the right time depends on your circumstances. If you are unsure whether your will still works, get advice from a qualified New Zealand lawyer.
The short answer
There is no fixed rule — but the best habit is to review your will every two or three years, and to update it whenever something significant changes in your life. A will is not a document you sign once and forget. It should reflect your life as it is now, not as it was when you last thought about it.
Life events that should trigger an update
Make a new will (or at least review the current one) after any of these:
- marriage or civil union — which can automatically revoke an earlier will;
- separation, divorce or the end of a civil union or de facto relationship;
- the birth or adoption of a child, or new stepchildren;
- the death of a beneficiary, executor or guardian you named;
- buying or selling a home, or major changes to your assets;
- starting, selling or restructuring a business;
- moving to another country, or acquiring overseas assets;
- a new partner, or a change in who you want to benefit;
- a falling out with someone named in the will;
- an executor becoming unable or unsuitable to act; or
- simply deciding your wishes have changed.
Update or replace?
For most people, the cleanest approach is to make a new will rather than trying to patch the old one. A new will made correctly revokes the earlier one. Writing on a signed will, crossing things out or attaching notes does not work and can create confusion. If the change is small, a codicil can work — but a fresh will is usually simpler and safer.
What a regular review should check
When you review your will, look at:
- whether the beneficiaries are still the people and organisations you want;
- whether your executor (and backup) is still willing and able to act;
- whether specific gifts still exist and are described correctly;
- whether guardianship wishes for children are still current;
- whether charity names are still correct;
- whether your contact details, and the location of the will, are known to the right people; and
- whether the will is still the latest one and properly signed and witnessed.
What happens if you don’t update
An out-of-date will can have serious consequences: a will revoked by marriage leaves you intestate; a beneficiary who has died may leave their gift to lapse; an executor who can no longer act may leave the estate without the person you intended; and people you now want to provide for may receive nothing. An old will can also be a source of disputes, because the family is left wondering whether it still reflects your wishes.
The bottom line
Review your will every few years, and update it after any major life change. It takes minutes to think through, and a fresh will is the cleanest way to make sure your estate matches your life. Our guide on how many wills you can have, guide on revoking a will, and guide on marriage and wills cover the surrounding rules.