56% of UK adults surprised that marriage revokes a Will

Posted onSeptember 29, 2025

A recent survey of over 2000 UK adults revealed that over half of respondents were unaware that their marriage would revoke their Will.

This rule stems from the archaic Wills Act 1837, and is one of the reforms recommended in the Law Commission Report from earlier this year. However, unless these reforms are adopted, the relatively unknown legislation will remain unchanged, causing real problems for a huge number of families.

Because Wills are revoked on marriage, married partners become 'intestate' until they produce a new Will, which means their estates are administered under the rules of intestacy. For married partners, this involves leaving the entirety of their estate to their partner, or if they have children, leaving £322,000 of their estate to their partner, with the remainder split equally between their partner and their children. While this may be suitable for some couples, it is unsuitable for just as many, who have deliberately made a Will to deal with their assets which is revoked without their knowledge.

If you have recently married your partner and are concerned that the rules of intestacy may not be suitable for you, please come down to Parsonage and Co to speak to a member of our Wills team who will be happy to craft the perfect Will for your wishes.

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