Buying or selling a property is often a significant life change. Itcan mean a new home, a new financial position, a new relationship stage, orsimply a fresh start. It is also a natural moment to check whetheryour will still reflects your life today.
One of the mostimportant things to consider is how your property is owned. Joint tenancy,tenants in common, trust ownership, or company ownership each have differentimplications for what happens to your home and other assets if you pass away. Achange in ownership structure, or the purchase or sale of a property, can alterthe makeup of your estate. Your will should reflect what you own now, not whatyou owned years ago.
Property moves often happen alongside changes inpersonal circumstances. You may be moving in with a partner, buying together,separating, been widowed, or adjusting how your finances aremanaged. Families also change over time. Children, blended families,dependants, or shifts in family relationships can influence what you want yourwill to achieve. If your financial position has changed, such as taking on newdebt or increasing your asset base, it is worth checking that your will stillaligns with your intentions.
A move is a good timeto make sure your executor is still the right person and that they know whereyour will is kept. If you have changed lawyers or moved regions, confirm whoholds the original document and ensure your executors can access it when needed.Digital copies are useful for reference, but only the signed original islegally valid.
Modern estate planning includes digital assetssuch as online accounts, cloud storage, subscription services, and digitalrecords. If you own propertythrough a trust, or if your relationship property arrangements have changed,make sure your will still aligns with those structures. Older documents may nolonger reflect your intentions.
Sometimes a review simply confirms that yourexisting arrangements are still appropriate. Other times, small updates canmake a big difference. The key is not to assume an older will automaticallycovers new assets or changed circumstances.
Buying or selling a home is more than atransaction. It is an opportunity to make sure the rest of your legal affairsstill fit your life today. If you have recently moved, our team can review your will and widerarrangements to ensure everything still reflects your wishes.
Get in touch with us to discuss your nextsteps.
