Change your name on your will
General UK name-change information, not individual legal advice. Requirements can vary by organisation and UK jurisdiction; where a decision matters, check the relevant official guidance.
A will speaks from death, not from the date it was made, and a name change does not automatically revoke it. But a will in your old name can cause confusion for your executors, so it is wise to update it or add a codicil that links your names.
Does a name change invalidate a will?
No. Your will remains valid. The risk is practical rather than legal: if the will is in your old name, your executors may need to prove the connection between that name and your current name.
Updating or adding a codicil
- Add a codicil stating your former and current names and that they refer to the same person.
- Or make a new will in your current name, revoking earlier wills.
- A new will is often cleaner if other details have also changed.
Named in someone else's will?
If you are a beneficiary named under your old name, your right to inherit is unaffected. Keep your deed poll as evidence that you are the named person and provide it to the executors during the estate administration.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing my name invalidate my will?▼
No. A name change does not automatically invalidate a will. However, a will made in your old name can cause confusion, so it is best to update it or add a codicil linking your old and new names.
Do I need to rewrite my will after a name change?▼
You do not have to rewrite it, but you should add a codicil or make a new will that refers to your former name so there is no doubt you are the same person. A new will is often the cleaner option.
What if I am named in someone else's will under my old name?▼
Your right to inherit is not lost. Keep your deed poll as evidence that you and the person named in the will are the same, and provide it to the executors when needed.
Free tools to help your name change
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