A leading Wills and estate planning expert has urged families not to treat writing a Will as a “one and done” exercise.
Wills and Estate planning expert Steve Bish, the author of Where There’s A Will There’s A Way, warned that failing to review a Will regularly could leave loved ones facing avoidable tax bills and bitter disputes.
Mr Bish, founder of S Bish Estate Planning, says too many people draft a Will and then file it away for decades, even as their lives, assets and family circumstances change dramatically.
“Writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect the people you love,” he said. “But it’s not something you do once and forget about. Your life changes, the rules around inheritance tax change and your Will should keep up.”
His warning comes as new industry data highlights growing complexity in private client work. The 2026 Private Client Industry Report on wills and estate planning trends, published by Leap Estates, points to a marked rise in blended families, more clients holding multiple properties, and increasing concern around inheritance tax exposure. According to the report, advisers are seeing a sharp increase in clients seeking guidance not just on drafting Wills, but on lifetime planning, trusts and tax mitigation strategies.
The report also identifies a growing advice gap. While home ownership and asset values have risen in many parts of the country, a significant proportion of adults still do not have a valid, up-to-date Will in place. Practitioners surveyed said outdated documents were now one of the most common risks they encounter, particularly where marriages, divorces or second families are involved.
Leap Estates’ research further highlights the impact of digital assets and modern family structures. More estates now include online accounts, digital investments and complex beneficiary arrangements, increasing the risk of confusion or conflict if instructions are unclear. The report concludes that regular reviews are becoming best practice rather than optional housekeeping.
Against that backdrop, Mr Bish says the human cost of neglecting a Will can be severe.
“I’ve seen too many families caught out because a Will was written years ago and never looked at again,” he said. “The consequences can range from unnecessary stress to serious family disputes, all at a time when loved ones are already grieving.”
As a rule of thumb, he recommends reviewing a Will every five years, or sooner if a significant life event occurs.
“The birth of a child or grandchild, buying or selling property, receiving an inheritance, these should all prompt a review,” he said. “Marriage or divorce are particularly critical because a change in legal status can invalidate an existing Will.”
Even without a major event, he suggests building in a regular check-in. “Spring, which is now upon us, is a great time to pause, reflect and make sure everything is still as it should be. It gives you, and your family, peace of mind for the year ahead.”
“Sometimes a review simply confirms everything remains appropriate. In other cases, changes are essential particularly if an executor, trustee or beneficiary has died, or if inheritance tax rules have shifted.
“Minor amendments used to be sometimes handled by a codicil, a one page addition to the Will which needed to be signed and witnessed and kept with the Will but not stapled or affixed to the Will in any way. But these days codicils are generally frowned upon and rarely seen as a new Will is safer and clearer,” he advises.
“A good Will gives your loved ones clarity, protects your assets and ensures your wishes are followed. But it only does that if it’s kept up to date.”
