Changing a Will After Death: What UK Families Need to Know

Changing a will after a death

You can change a person’s will after their death, as long as any beneficiaries left worse off by the changes agree. You can make changes to the inheritance in the same way as if there’s a will.

To change a will you’ll need to make a ‘variation’.

Any changes to the will must be completed within 2 years of the death.

When you might use a variation

A variation can be used to provide for someone who was left out of the will.

Tax implications of a variation

If the variation means there’s more Inheritance Tax to pay, you must send a copy to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

If the variation does not change the amount of Inheritance Tax due, you do not need to send a copy to HMRC.

Who must agree to the changes?

All beneficiaries who would be left worse off by the proposed changes must agree to the variation.