When was the last time that you looked at your Will? – chances are that you may have forgotten about it and perhaps your circumstances have changed since you first drafted what you thought was going to be your last Will.

A good rule of thumb is to review your Will every 5 years just to make sure that it is still current with your wishes for passing your estate on after your death.

Alterations and additions might be necessary if there have been changes in your personal finances or family situations. You should carefully review what your Will says as it might be time to change it.

Other factors that could have an impact on your current Will might be some of the following:

* Marriage/remarriage/entering a Civil Partnership invalidates previous wills.

* Divorce does not automatically revoke your will – some aspects might still be valid and contestable. Consult your solicitor to be sure of your position.

* Your children may no longer need guardians or need to have inheritances left in trust.

* Your assets may have changed considerably, allowing different distribution or proportions to be considered.

* Executors may have died or would not be as appropriate as before or may prefer not to act.

* Inheritance tax rules change every year, have you made provision to minimise the effects as your assets increase in value?

* Jointly owned assets pass to the survivor regardless of what your will says. In the event of you both dying together there may be Inheritance Tax problems for your beneficiaries which could be alleviated by provisions in your will. Has your solicitor discussed this with you? There are other ways of owning assets which may be more advantageous.

* Was the will prepared by a solicitor and were all the contingencies mentioned above (and more) explained to you and incorporated.

* Has your family grown or have your children married since you looked at your will? Are they and any future additions to the family provided for by the wording of the will?