The Effect of Marriage on your Will
Marriage is a time of joy and commitment. However, by saying the words “I do”, you are also inadvertently saying the words “I do hereby revoke my Will“. For those who are preparing vows to be together until “death do us part”, you do need to think about what happen when death does, in fact, part you.
In Queensland, section 14 of the Succession Act 1981 (Qld) provides that Marriage automatically revokes a Will, unless the Will was expressly made in contemplation of the marriage.
If a Will is made in contemplation of marriage, the contemplation must clearly state the testator (Will maker) expected to marry the particular person and intended that the Will should not be revoked.
The effect of Divorce (or separation from a Civil Partnership / de facto relationship) on your Will
In Queensland section 15, 15A & 15B of the Succession Act 1981 (Qld) sets out the effect that divorce (or separation from a Civil Partnership / de facto relationship) has on a Will.
Unless a contrary intention is shown in the Will, a testator’s divorce (or separation from a Civil Partnership / de facto relationship) revokes the following:-
- Any beneficial interest the testator’s former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner had under the Will;
- Any appointment the former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner has as an executor, trustee, advisory trustee or guardian under the Will; and
- Any grant, made by the will, of a power of appointment exercisable by or in favour of the Will maker’s former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner.
The Will of the testator then takes effect as if the former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner had died before the testator.
However, in Queensland, a testator’s divorce (or separation from a Civil Partnership / de facto relationship) does not revoke—
- the appointment of the testator’s former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner as trustee of property left by the Will on trust for beneficiaries that include the former spouse’s/civil partner’s/de facto partner’s children; or
- the grant of a power of appointment exercisable by the testator’s former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner only in favour of children of whom both the testator and the former spouse/civil partner/de facto partner are parents.
Conclusion
Marriage and divorce/separation can have unknown and unintended consequences on your Will. The next document that you should sign after your Marriage Certificate, should be a new Will.
Similarly, if your marriage/relationship doesn’t turn out to be “happily ever after”, you need to give consideration to updating your Will.
Whether you are getting married or divorcing/separating, we recommend you contact our experienced Gold Coast lawyers team to discuss the legal implications and effects on your Will.