Did you know that Marriage automatically revokes a Will?

You may have read in the news recently of the case of Dr Evi Kalodiki. Terminally ill, Dr Kalodiki made a Will in December 2018, leaving her estate, worth approximately £10 million, to be divided between her family and partner. Very shortly after making her Will, she married her partner. By getting married, legally, this means that any Will she had in place is automatically revoked.

In the case of Dr Kalodiki, this, in effect, meant that she would be treated as having no Will, and therefore, the rules of intestacy would apply. This meant that her new Husband would receive the entirety of her £10 million estate.

Although it would appear that having only executed her Will hours prior to her wedding, the deceased did intend her Will to remain valid, under the current law, her Will is automatically revoked. The deceased’s sister and Husband are now locked in a costly High Court battle to determine whether the original Will should remain valid or not.

This case only stresses the importance of periodically reviewing your Will. Particularly if you are getting married, have had children or your financial circumstances change.

If you would like to discuss making a Will or reviewing your current Will, please contact Catherine Donworth on 01429 230 031 or Clair Dunkerley on 01429 230 034