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We believe the law is unfair and outdated.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

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 17 Aug 2026.