{"id":19084,"date":"2026-10-21T15:53:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T04:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuatan.com.au\/when-to-update-your-will-australia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T17:34:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T06:34:05","slug":"when-to-update-your-will-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuatan.com.au\/zh-hant\/when-to-update-your-will-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"When Should You Update Your Will? Marriage, Divorce and Other Life Changes in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Will is not a document you sign once and forget. Some life events change or even cancel it automatically, and others leave it in place while it no longer reflects what you want. The rules are set by each state and territory, but the main points are similar across Australia.<\/p>\n\n

Marriage usually cancels your Will<\/h2>\n

In every Australian state and territory, getting married revokes a Will made before the marriage. The exception is a Will made in contemplation of that marriage. Many couples who marry after making a Will are unaware that they now have no Will at all, and their estate would pass under intestacy rules.<\/p>\n\n

Divorce changes your Will, but separation does not<\/h2>\n

In most states and territories, a divorce cancels gifts to your former spouse and their appointment as executor or trustee, unless your Will shows a different intention. The rest of the Will stays in place. Some gifts, such as appointing a former spouse as trustee for your children, may survive.<\/p>\n

Separation alone does not change your Will. Divorce cannot be applied for until you have been separated for at least 12 months. If you die during that time, a spouse you have separated from may still inherit and act as executor. Updating your Will promptly after separating is therefore important.<\/p>\n

The rules for de facto relationships vary more between states. Do not rely on the law to fix an outdated Will.<\/p>\n\n

Other events that should prompt a review<\/h2>\n