Europe: Family and Matrimonial

Life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or acquiring significant assets can fundamentally alter the legal effect of your will or render it no longer fit for purpose. Understanding when and why to review your estate planning documents is essential to ensuring your wishes are properly reflected and your beneficiaries are protected. This guidance examines the key circumstances that should prompt a will review and explains the legal consequences of failing to update your testamentary arran

With effect from 1 October 2026, specific Family Court Proceedings Regulations, enacted by virtue of Regulation 216 of 2026, have come into effect, hence replacing the previous procedural regime. The aim of the new Regulations is to establish a more structured framework for family proceedings. The main novelties are, emphasis on early disclosure of financials and proposals, imposition of mediation timelines, structured representation of children, and multi-disciplinary support for the parties, minors and third parties involved in the process.

In Part 1 of this series, we examined the broader objectives underpinning the Family Court Proceedings Regulations, including the enhanced role of mediators, the introduction of Support Persons, and the strengthened safeguards aimed at protecting the best interests of children and supporting families throughout judicial proceedings.