AMENDING AN EXISTING WILL
Life changes and your will should change with it. Whether you have married, divorced, welcomed children or grandchildren, benefitted from an inheritance or windfall, bought a property or simply changed your wishes, keeping your will up to date is essential. Unfortunately, the law does not always recognise verbal agreements so it is best to put your wishes in writing. At HM3 Legal, our experienced solicitors make the process of amending an existing will straightforward.
Associations and Affiliations
We help you keep your will up to date
Your will should reflect your current circumstances, not the life you had years ago. If your family, finances or personal wishes have changed, it is important to review your existing will to make sure it still explains exactly what you want to happen. Including with both personal and business assets.
Our solicitors provide clear, practical advice on whether a simple amendment is suitable or whether creating a new will is the better option. We take the time to understand your circumstances and ensure every change is legally effective.
We regularly help clients amend wills following:
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Divorce or separation
- The birth or adoption of children
- Becoming grandparents
- Buying or selling property
- Receiving an inheritance
- Changes to beneficiaries
- Appointing new executors
- Setting up or running a business
- Changes to guardians for children
- Changes in financial circumstances
- Business ownership changes
- Changes in tax planning requirements
Our will solicitors
Ruth Marsh
Partner & Head of Private Client Services
Abigail Blakemore
Trainee Solicitor
Abigail Vine
Legal Assistant
Ceri Burns
Solicitor
Frances Williams
Senior Associate
Judith Gloria
Paralegal
Libby Ryan
Legal Administrator
Shannon Ashley
Paralegal
Wendy Randall
Probate Practitioner
Updating your existing will
Making simple amendments
Not every change requires a completely new will. In some circumstances, a legal document known as a codicil can be used to amend specific parts of your existing will while leaving the remainder unchanged.
Our solicitors will assess your current will and advise whether a codicil is appropriate or whether preparing a new will would offer greater clarity and protection. We ensure any amendments are correctly drafted and executed so your wishes remain legally valid. We also explain the advantages and limitations of each option, giving you confidence that any changes accurately reflect your intentions while reducing the risk of misunderstandings or future legal will challenges or disputes.
Reviewing your will after major life events
Significant life events often mean your will should be reviewed. Marriage, divorce, new family members, changes in wealth including buying, selling or inheriting property, or the death of a beneficiary can all affect whether your existing will still reflects your intentions.
HM3 Legal can carry out a comprehensive review of your will, explain any legal implications and recommend the most suitable way to update it. Our aim is to ensure your estate is distributed exactly as you intend. We will also identify any potential issues that could arise in the future including disputing a will, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring your loved ones are protected in line with your current wishes.
Rewriting your will when needed
Where multiple changes are required, replacing your existing will is often the safest and most practical solution to ensure your will remains legally valid. A professionally drafted new will reduces the risk of confusion, conflicting instructions or future will disputes between loved ones including inheritance challenges.
With care and precision our solicitors prepare clear, legally robust wills tailored to your current wishes while ensuring any previous wills are correctly revoked. We make the process straightforward, giving you confidence that your estate planning remains up to date. By taking the time to understand your family, financial position and future objectives, we can produce a will that provides greater clarity, certainty and long term peace of mind.
Our legal offices
Chester
George Street
Chester
CH1 3EQ
Liverpool
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2QP
Manchester
Woodlands Road
Altrincham
WA14 1HF
Wirral
Monks Ferry
Birkenhead
CH41 5LH
Reasons to instruct HM3 Legal
Plain English promise.
A jargon and waffle-free zone. Helping you to understand your options and make the right decisions.
No chase pledge.
Peace of mind. Removing the frustrations of wondering where things are up to and what is next.
Fixed fees options.
Removing uncertainty. With fixed fee options and clear pricing we will not land you with a surprise bill.
One central point of contact.
Looking at your needs holistically. Chances are, your business operations do not work in silos so neither do we.
Wills key contact: Ruth Marsh
Partner and Head of Private Client Services
Ruth Marsh is Head of Private Client at HM3 Legal and a highly respected specialist in wills, trusts, probate and estate planning. As a STEP-qualified practitioner and a Band 1 ranked lawyer in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Ruth provides expert advice on estate and wealth management, succession planning and asset protection. Known for her approachable manner and clear, practical guidance, Ruth helps individuals and families plan for the future with confidence, delivering tailored legal advice and exceptional client care.
Need to update your will?
A will is not something you should write once and forget about. As your life changes, your will should too. Regularly reviewing your will helps ensure your loved ones remain protected, your assets are distributed according to your latest wishes and your estate planning continues to reflect your current circumstances.
Whether you need to make one small amendment or completely rewrite your will, HM3 Legal can provide straightforward legal advice which reflects your individual circumstance. We will explain your options in plain English and guide you through every step, giving you complete confidence that your wishes remain legally protected for the future. We understand your life situation is unique, and your will should reflect this.
Updating your will can also help avoid unnecessary complications for your family, reduce the risk of disputes between beneficiaries and ensure important decisions, such as who will administer your estate or care for your children, remain appropriate. Our experienced solicitors will talk through your needs and recommend the most suitable solution, giving you peace of mind that your affairs are in order both now and for the years ahead.
Would recommend
I would definitely use HM3 Legal myself and recommend anyone in need of a trusted firm..
She was prompt with communications and kept us informed in the process.
We managed to recover 75% plus of money after more than a year of back and forth.
Thank you.
The whole team are responsive and demonstrate a real desire to provide guidance across a range of disciplines. .
HM3 Legal delivered better service than expected and I would highly recommend them for wills and estate planning.
Robbie Oates was also great at keeping me updated throughout and nothing was too much trouble.
This is not a nice thing to have to go though but thanks to Holly and Robbie, I felt fully supported the whole 2 years 7 months through! I would definitely say they both provided a WOW service.
Ian reviewed the lease promptly, identified the key issues, and explained everything in a clear, concise and easy to understand way. Rather than overwhelming me with legal jargon, he provided practical advice that gave me complete confidence in the decisions I needed to make.
The whole team were professional, responsive and a pleasure to deal with throughout. Their excellent communication and attention to detail made what could have been a complex and time consuming process feel straightforward and stress free.
If you're looking for commercial solicitors who combine first class legal expertise with exceptional client service, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ian Millington and the team at HM3 Legal.
Jill Walker
Managing Director
Indigo Home & Gift
I would highly recommend Clare to any of my peers. Her professionalism was exceptional.
From our initial meeting with Frances, we were informed of the methods and techniques to structure our wills in the most efficient formats.
Frances explained complex legal structures in easy to understand terms and was a pleasure to deal with.
Shannon was excellent with the back office work making sure everything came through promptly and in the right fashion.
Many thanks to everyone at HM3.
Only 4 Stars because we were never notified as to the change from Hillier & McKeown to HM3 Legal.
It was only when we wanted to alter the wills that by good fortune I still had phone number of Hamilton Square. Well done to Ceri for patience and knowhow.
Paul Roberts
They kept me informed at every stage, explaining any legal details in a straightforward and accessible way, which made what can often be a stressful experience feel much more manageable. Emails and calls were always responded to promptly, and I felt confident that everything was being handled thoroughly and carefully.
What really stood out was their attention to detail and proactive approach. Any potential issues were identified early and resolved quickly, helping to avoid delays and keep both transactions moving smoothly. We had a few challenges with the sale of our property, but the team provided clear solutions with phone calls to explain next steps and alternative options if we needed them/
I would highly recommend HM3 to anyone buying or selling a property. Their expertise, reliability, and friendly approach made a significant difference, and I would not hesitate to use their services again in the future.
They kept me informed at every stage, explaining any legal details in a straightforward and accessible way, which made what can often be a stressful experience feel much more manageable. Emails and calls were always responded to promptly, and I felt confident that everything was being handled thoroughly and carefully.
What really stood out was their attention to detail and proactive approach. Any potential issues were identified early and resolved quickly, helping to avoid delays and keep both transactions moving smoothly. We had a few challenges with the sale of our property, but the team provided clear solutions with phone calls to explain next steps and alternative options if we needed them/
I would highly recommend HM3 to anyone buying or selling a property. Their expertise, reliability, and friendly approach made a significant difference, and I would not hesitate to use their services again in the future.
She kept me posted at all times and always returned telephone calls.I recommend her.
They both have been very diligent, responsive and solid in their responses and actions.
I would highly recommend their services. Happy to expand on my experience if anyone would like to know more!
I’m very happy with the service. I would gladly recommend this firm to anyone looking for trustworthy legal assistance.
Fees were clearly explained before work commenced and were fair and competitive. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ruth and HM3 to anyone seeking expert legal support with personal or family matters.
Amending an existing will FAQs
Can I amend my existing will without writing a new one?
Yes. In some cases you can amend an existing will using a legal document called a codicil. This is often suitable where only minor changes are needed, such as changing an executor or updating a beneficiary. If there are several amendments or your circumstances have changed significantly, preparing a new will is usually the better option to avoid confusion and ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
When should I update my will?
You should review your will whenever there is a significant change in your life. This may include getting married, remarrying, divorcing, having children or grandchildren, buying property, receiving an inheritance or changing your financial circumstances. Even if nothing major has happened, reviewing your will every few years helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and complies with current legal requirements.
Does getting married affect my existing will?
Yes. In most cases, getting married or entering into a civil partnership automatically revokes an existing will unless it was specifically made in contemplation of that marriage or partnership. Many people may not realise that this means your previous wishes may no longer be legally valid. HM3 Legal can advise whether your existing will has been affected and help you prepare an updated version that reflects your current circumstances.
Can I remove someone from my will?
Yes, you can remove or replace a beneficiary if your circumstances or wishes have changed. It is important that any amendments are made correctly to avoid a will dispute or uncertainty after your death. HM3 Legal can advise on the most appropriate way to make these changes while ensuring your updated will remains legally valid and accurately reflects your intentions.
Should I use a codicil or make a new will?
The right option depends on the number and complexity of the changes you want to make. A codicil may be suitable for one or two straightforward amendments. However, where several changes are needed, preparing a new will is often clearer and reduces the risk of conflicting instructions. A solicitor can advise which option best suits your individual circumstances.
How long does it take to amend an existing will?
The timescale depends on the complexity of the changes required. Simple amendments can often be completed relatively quickly, while more extensive updates may require a completely new will. Your solicitor will explain the process, prepare the necessary documents and ensure everything is signed correctly so your updated wishes become legally effective without unnecessary delay.
Why should I use a solicitor to amend my will?
Making changes to a will without legal advice can lead to mistakes that create uncertainty or lead to disputes in the future adding avoidable stress at a difficult time. A solicitor will ensure your amendments are legally valid, clearly drafted and appropriate for your circumstances. HM3 Legal provides expert guidance throughout the process, helping you update your will with confidence and ensuring your wishes are properly protected.
