More very interesting replies - thank you. It's certainly agreed that a will made in anticipation of the marriage, and stating this, would be valid. However the will I have was written /signed/witnessed before the marriage and makes no mention of the fact that the marriage has not yet taken place. The executor (and chief beneficiary) is named and referred to as 'my husband' and his children (named) as her stepchildren. It would seem that it might not be valid - but it was treated as valid. Angela On 8 Aug 2011, at 4:35 pm, ag.hamilton wrote: > I have a will written on Sept. 5 1946 which refers to the testatrix's husband and her stepchildren (who are all named). In fact she didn't marry the husband until about six weeks later on Oct 16. > > It's normal to make a new will at the time of marriage - would it be normal to make it before the marriage? It's a legal document and this one refers to 'husband' and 'stepchildren' who didn't have that relationship at the time the will was signed. > > The 'husband' was the brother of the testatrix's first husband. I can't find a record of his death and wonder if there was a divorce, or had they just separated and her marriage in October was perhaps not legal? >