Changing Your Will

We advise our clients to review their wills every 5–7 years and to always review their Wills after major life events such as purchasing property, marriage or civil partnership, starting a family or relationship breakdown.

Has it been 5-7 years since you made your will?

Patrice is always available for me, she is very patient, helpful & efficient. She explains things very clearly & gives excellent advice.

How Do You Go About Changing Your Will?

You cannot update or alter your will by simply writing on it yourself. Any alterations will be assumed as having been made after the Will was executed and, therefore, would not be valid.

There are two ways in which you can change your Will:

• You can make an amendment in a separate document which is called a codicil. The codicil needs to be signed and witnessed in the same way that a will is.
• Alternatively, you can write a new will. The new Will should state that it revokes all previous Wills and codicils. Once you have completed your new Will you should destroy your old Will and any old codicils.

Our general advice is that if you are making a significant amendment to your Will it is better for you to make a new will rather than making a codicil.

Can A Will Be Changed Without A Solicitor?

While solicitors are not legally required for this process, their expertise is often valuable, especially when dealing with complex estates or significant changes.

DIY amendments carry the risk of errors, which could lead to disputes or even invalidate the will.

Therefore, while it’s possible to change a will without a solicitor, professional legal advice is highly recommended to ensure the changes are effective and legally sound.

If you are contemplating contesting a will please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team by emailing patrice.lawrence@tvedwards.com or calling us on 020 3440 8000.

Take a look here for more information on making a Will.

Frequently Asked Questions