Petition · Ministry of Justice
Change the law so that marriage does not automatically cancel a person’s will
Closed
63 signatures
What the petition asks
Under the current law when someone gets married any will they made before that marriage is automatically cancelled. Most people do not know this they believe their existing will still stands. But this is not the case if they remarry and die.
We believe the law is unfair and outdated. We ask Parliament to change the law so that marriage no longer automatically revokes a will or to create a fairer legal safeguard; for example, a clear opt-in choice when registering a marriage to ensure people are not unintentionally disinheriting their families. This isn’t about taking sides between first or second families but about fairness and awareness. People should not lose control over their legacy simply because they weren’t aware of this little known rule.
Timeline
| 16 Dec 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Jun 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
63
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
16 Dec 2025
Closed
16 Jun 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 17 Aug 2026.