We saw 2 clients two weeks ago to prepare some wills. Both were divorced some 20 years ago.
Both were unaware that the wills that they executed early in their marriages and which left everything to their ex-husbands were still valid!
The Wills Act 1970 was only amended such that the end of a marriage revokes a will in 2007, and the provision only came into force as at 8 February 2008.
Only marriages that end after that date have the effect of revoking an earlier will.
If a marriage ended prior to that date, that end of marriage does not result in a revocation of the will.
So if you know of anyone whose marriage ended prior to 8 February 2008, they might be in need of a new will which revokes their old will, which probably leaves everything to the former spouse!