Guide
How do you change a will?
You can change your will at any time while you have capacity, but there is a right way and a wrong way. Writing on the original is the wrong way.
Last reviewed 2 November 2026. General information, not legal advice. All guides
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Never alter the original
Crossing out names, adding notes or removing pages from a signed will can make part of it invalid, or the whole thing open to challenge. Changes have to be made formally.
Two ways to change it
- A codicil. A short, formal amendment, signed and witnessed in the same way as a will. It suits small changes, such as replacing an executor or changing a gift.
- A new will. Usually better for anything bigger, or if you already have a codicil. A new will normally cancels all your earlier wills and codicils, so there is one clear document.
When to change it
- Marriage, civil partnership, divorce or separation
- Birth or death in the family
- Buying or selling a property
- A big change in your wealth
- An executor or guardian who can no longer act
See our guide on how often to review your will.
After you have changed it
Store the new original safely, tell your executors where it is, and destroy the old version so nobody mistakes it for the current one.
Quick answers
Common questions
Can I just write a note on my will to change it?
No. Changes written on a signed will are not reliable and can cause disputes. Use a formal codicil or make a new will.
Does a new will cancel my old one?
Usually yes, if it says so, which a properly drafted will does. That is why a new will is cleaner than a series of codicils.
Do I need witnesses for a codicil?
Yes. A codicil needs to be signed and witnessed in the same way as a will.
Keep reading
Related guides
How often should you review your will?
The life events that mean your will needs another look.
How do you sign and witness a will correctly?
The signing rules and the mistakes that make a will invalid.
What happens to your will if you divorce or separate?
What changes on separation and divorce, and what to update.
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