Kathryn Harwood, head of the Wills and Estate Planning team at law firm Napthens, is urging individuals to update a Will at least once every five years to take into account changing circumstances.

She reminds those with Wills that the new year is a good time to look at such issues. An incorrect Will could result in heartache at an already difficult time, as important relatives could miss out on recognition.

Kathryn said: “There are plenty of factors which could mean a Will is out of date. An executor named in an original Will could have died or moved away, new beneficiaries may have been born and the addresses and surnames of those named in a Will may have changed.

“It may be that a marital status has changed, or that a Will as written doesn’t reflect current wishes, so regular reviews are vital.”