Can a will become too old? When should it be updated?
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Facts checked: October 1, 2026 · Swedish inheritance law
A standard will has no general expiration date. The fact that the document is 5, 15, or 30 years old does not in itself make it invalid. The problem is instead that family circumstances, assets, relationships, or your wishes may have changed so much that an old will produces a different result than you intended.
When should an old will be reviewed?
There is no statutory five- or ten-year limit for review. A better method is to check the will when something significant changes.
- Marriage or new cohabitation: new family relationships change the inheritance landscape, even if the will does not automatically expire.
- Separation or divorce: check whether old provisions still express your wishes and how the law affects them.
- Children or grandchildren: new direct heirs (bröstarvingar) can affect the calculation of the statutory share (laglott).
- Death: a beneficiary or other central person may have passed away.
- Major changes in assets: businesses, properties, or other assets may have been added or sold.
- Moving abroad or property in multiple countries: international inheritance issues may require special assessment.
- Changed wishes: the will should reflect your current ultimate intent.
Does the will become invalid if I get married?
No, there is no general Swedish rule stating that a previous will automatically becomes invalid just because the testator marries. However, marriage can change who would otherwise inherit, how the surviving spouse's protection works, and how the will should be interpreted or drafted. Therefore, marriage is a clear reason to conduct a new legal review.
What happens if I have children after the will was written?
The will does not automatically become invalid. However, the child is a direct heir and is covered by the protection of the statutory share. The statutory share is half of the child's legal inheritance portion. If the will restricts the statutory share, the child or their legal representative must claim an adjustment within six months after notification in order to assert their right to the statutory share.
Can I just write an addendum?
Yes, but an addendum to a will is not an informal note. According to Chapter 10, Section 6 of the Inheritance Code, the same formal requirements apply to addenda as to the will itself. It must therefore be handled with a proper signature and witnessing.
For major changes, a new, consolidated will is often clearer than several addenda that must be read together.
Does a new will automatically revoke the old one?
Not necessarily in every part. A will can be revoked according to Chapter 10, Section 5, but if the new document does not clearly replace everything that came before, older and newer provisions may need to be interpreted together to the extent that they are compatible.
Can I make changes directly in the old document?
Avoid crossing out, writing in margins, and handwritten additions that do not meet the formal requirements for a will. An amendment must follow the same formal requirements. It is often safer to draw up a new document and clearly revoke the previous version.
Does the original matter?
Yes. Store the original document securely and in a way that it can be found after death. A missing original can create difficult issues regarding evidence and revocation. However, it is an oversimplification to say that every copy is automatically legally worthless; the assessment may depend on the circumstances.
An emergency will is the exception to the general rule on time
If an emergency will has been drawn up in accordance with Chapter 10, Section 3, a special rule applies. It is no longer valid if the testator, after the emergency situation, has had the opportunity to draft an ordinary will for three months.
A simple review checklist
- Are all individuals and organizations still the correct recipients?
- Are all beneficiaries still alive?
- Has the family situation changed?
- Are there new direct heirs (bröstarvingar) or children from previous relationships?
- Are there assets that did not exist when the document was written?
- Has any bequest or specific property been sold?
- Are the wordings regarding full ownership, right of disposal, and secondary inheritance still intended?
- Is it clearly stated how previous wills are to be treated?
- Is the original accessible and stored securely?
If you discover that the document needs to be redone, first check the formal requirements for a valid will. For a broad overview, read Wills in Sweden – formal requirements, statutory share, and inheritance rules.
Mallbutiken's Will Template – Word/PDF costs 49 SEK. Always adapt the document to your current situation and follow the formal requirements again when drawing up a new will.
