Change a will after a death
You can change a person鈥檚 will after their death, as long as any beneficiaries left worse off by the changes agree.
If there鈥檚 no will the law decides who inherits. You can make changes to the inheritance in the same way as if there鈥檚 a will.
Any changes to the will must be completed within 2 years of the death.
You can change a will to:
- reduce the amount of Inheritance or Capital Gains Tax payable
- provide for someone who was left out of the will
- move the deceased鈥檚 assets into a trust
- clear up any uncertainty over the will
What you need to do
To change a will you鈥檒l need to make a 鈥榲ariation鈥�.
You don鈥檛 need a formal document or deed - you can write a letter as long as it meets these conditions.
If the variation means there鈥檚 more Inheritance Tax to pay, you must send a copy to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 6 months of making it.
You don鈥檛 need to send a copy to HMRC if the variation doesn鈥檛 change the amount of Inheritance Tax due.