Regular will reviews are essential for maintaining accuracy, managing client risk and demonstrating professional care. This checklist is written for will writers, estate planners and legal professionals who need a fast, consistent process to review wills using a client portal or practice management system.
1. Client identity and instructions
Start by confirming who gave instructions and whether those instructions remain current.
- Confirm identity: verify client name, date of birth and contact details against your client record.
- Capacity and instruction source: check for evidence of mental capacity at time of instruction and whether instructions came directly from the testator or an authorised proxy.
- Recent life changes: ask about marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in relationships, new partnerships or moves abroad.
- Update on life events: record any changes that affect nominations, guardianship or beneficiary entitlements.
2. Document and version control
Use your online portal or document tools to trace the active will and earlier versions.
- Locate the latest version: confirm which document is the operative will and that it is the most recent signed copy in your secure storage.
- Check amendments: identify codicils, schedules or side letters and ensure they are properly executed and attached to the main will.
- Version history: use case tracking or document management features to note who edited the file and when.
- Remove superseded drafts: ensure only the current, signed version is promoted as operative and older drafts are archived securely.
3. Beneficiaries and gifts
Ensure beneficiary designations are clear and reflect the clients current wishes.
- Names and details: check beneficiary full names, relationship descriptions and contact information for accuracy.
- Gift clarity: confirm whether gifts are specific (items, property), pecuniary (cash amounts) or residuary and that these reflect the clients assets.
- Conditional gifts: review any conditions or survivorship clauses for potential practical issues (e.g. unrealistic age conditions).
- Contingent beneficiaries: check alternate beneficiaries are named to avoid intestacy if primary beneficiaries predecease the testator.
4. Executors, trustees and guardians
Confirm the people trusted with administration and care duties remain appropriate.
- Executor suitability: review executors availability, capacity and willingness to act; consider professional executors where complexity or conflict exists.
- Trustee appointments: check trustee powers, succession plans and whether corporate trustee nominations are still valid.
- Guardians for children: verify guardians named for minor children and ensure alternatives are provided.
- Power of attorney links: cross-check lasting power of attorney documents and incapacity plans where relevant.
5. Asset review and tax considerations
Reconcile the will with the clients current asset base and tax planning needs.
- Asset list: update property, investments, pensions, business interests and digital assets; ensure significant changes are reflected in gifts or trusts.
- Property titles: check whether real property is held jointly or in sole name and whether survivorship affects distribution (see also external probate property guidance for complex cases).
- Trust and tax planning: review existing trusts, IHT mitigation measures and whether further estate planning is needed for high-net-worth clients.
- Beneficiary nominations: ensure pension and life policy nominations align with will intentions and note pension rules may override will provisions.
6. Execution, witnesses and formalities
Confirm the will meets formal execution requirements to reduce future challenges.
- Signed and dated: verify the will is signed and dated by the testator and identify date of signing.
- Witnesses: check witnesses details, ensure they were independent and present at signing; note any potential voiding relationships (e.g. beneficiaries acting as witness).
- Physical vs digital evidence: where electronic notes or audio records exist of instructions, ensure they support rather than replace formal execution.
- Safe custody: ensure the signed original is stored in secure storage and the client record notes where copies are held.
7. Compliance, notes and follow-up actions
Finish with clear compliance checks and an action plan recorded in your portal.
- Conflict checks: run conflict-of-interest searches and record results in client notes.
- Regulatory compliance: confirm anti-money laundering checks, ID verification and consent records are complete.
- Document review log: use case management to record the review date, reviewer, decisions made and any redrafting required.
- Client communication: agree next review interval with the client and set automated reminders; note immediate redraft triggers (marriage, divorce, large inheritance, change of domicile).
- Training and templates: where recurring issues appear in reviews, update practice templates or staff training materials to maintain consistency across your team.
Using a structured checklist like this inside a practice portal helps will writers reduce errors, demonstrate due diligence and give clients clarity and confidence. Will Writers Portal supports this process with document tools, secure storage and workflow tracking so reviews are consistent, auditable and simple to manage across your caseload. For related guidance on probate administration and property matters, see probate tips and specialised estate services such as those linked at https://probatetips.co.uk/ and https://probate-property.co.uk/. For examples of practice-specific resources, visit our pages on will writing London and the Weybridge site at https://willwritersportal.co.uk/site/weybridge-estates/.
