A will is made at a particular moment, but it may be used many years later. The wording can remain unchanged while the people and circumstances around it change considerably. Reviewing it from time to time is therefore part of keeping the plan useful.
There is no benefit in rewriting a suitable will simply because another year has passed. The better question is whether the document would still produce the result you want if it had to be used now.
Review after important changes
Marriage, separation, divorce and the arrival of children are clear reasons to look again. So are the death of a beneficiary or executor, a move abroad, a business sale or a significant change in assets. A guardian who was once an ideal choice may now be unable to undertake the role.
Read the document as a whole. A new cash gift may seem like a small amendment, yet it can reduce the residue available for other beneficiaries. Removing an executor may also require a new substitute appointment.
Avoid informal alterations
Do not write additions in the margin, cross out gifts or replace pages in a signed will. Irish law imposes formal requirements on alterations, and informal changes can create uncertainty about what was intended and what is legally effective.
Depending on the circumstances, a properly executed codicil or a fresh will may be appropriate. A new will is often easier to follow where several provisions are changing. It must still be signed and witnessed correctly; changing a saved online draft does not change the signed original by itself.
Keep a clear record
After a replacement has been properly completed, make sure your executor knows where the operative original is held. Obtain advice about dealing with earlier originals, especially if there are foreign wills or any possibility of a dispute. Avoid leaving several apparently current documents without explanation.
Keep a separate note of assets and contacts up to date too. That record can change more frequently than the will and need not disclose sensitive login details within the legal document.
A short, deliberate review can be enough to confirm that nothing needs changing. If something does, take the time to complete the legal process rather than leaving a useful intention in an unsigned draft.
Sources and further reading
General information, not advice on your individual circumstances. Laws and tax rules can change; check the linked official guidance and obtain professional advice where needed.