Does getting married invalidate my will?

Yes, getting married automatically revokes (cancels) any will you made before the marriage in England and Wales. Your old will becomes invalid the moment you marry, and if you die without making a new will, you'll die intestate.

This rule exists to protect new spouses who might otherwise be cut out of an old will.

What this means:

• Your pre-marriage will is no longer valid
• You need to make a new will after getting married
• If you don't make a new will, intestacy rules apply
• Any gifts to your new spouse in your old will won't happen unless you make a new will

Exception: You can make a will 'in contemplation of marriage' to a specific person. This will must state that it's made in contemplation of marriage to a named individual, and it will remain valid after you marry that person. However, this is risky - if you don't marry that specific person, or break up before marriage, the will might not be valid.

Best practice: After getting married, make a new will with your spouse. Both of you should make wills together, deciding what happens to your estate and ensuring both families are protected.

Note: Divorce doesn't invalidate your whole will, but it removes your ex-spouse as a beneficiary and executor.