When does marriage revoke a will in the UK?
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In short: In England and Wales, marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes any earlier will, unless the will is expressly made 'in contemplation of' that specific marriage under s18 of the Wills Act 1837. Divorce does not revoke the will but treats the ex-spouse as having died before you. After the wedding, make a new will* in the name you will use day to day.
Content updated:
If you marry without making a new will, you die intestate from the wedding day onwards and the intestacy rules decide who inherits — which often leaves your existing children worse off than your previous will intended.
To make a will survive a planned marriage, the document must name the intended spouse and clearly state that it is made in contemplation of the marriage to that person. Generic 'in contemplation of any future marriage' wording does not satisfy s18.
A surname change and the effect of marriage on a will are separate issues. Do not delay reviewing your will while waiting for identity documents. Keep evidence linking old and new names; see our deed poll guide. For eligible straightforward England and Wales circumstances, consider SwiftWill* for a new document when appropriate; it shares our operator and does not include individual solicitor review. Scotland is different: marriage no longer automatically revokes a will under the Succession (Scotland) Act 2016.
Primary source: legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Will4and1Vict/7/26
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