When a person marries, the law automatically revokes the Will. Failing to update your Will results in your spouse taking your estate absolutely. This becomes an issue if you wish to leave assets to relatives, friends of children from former relationships. Updating your Will after marriage is crucial to ensure that your intentions are fulfilled.
However, there are two exceptions to this rule. First, if you were contemplating a particular marriage at the time of drafting the Will. For example, having a fiancé or discussing marriage plans with your partner. Merely knowing that there is a possibility of marriage in the future is not sufficient. Second, expressly stating that the Will was made ‘in contemplation of marriage’ will maintain the validity of your Will. It is important to discuss your intentions with a lawyer when drafting your Will.
