How to Change a Will: Codicils and Updates

Can you change a will after it is signed?

You cannot amend a will once it has been signed and witnessed. Handwritten edits, crossings-out or notes added later are generally ignored and can cast doubt on the whole document. The two accepted ways to change a will are a codicil, which is a separate signed document that alters part of the existing will, or a completely new will that replaces it (gov.uk, updating your will, as at July 2026, subject to change).

Changing a will with a codicil

A codicil is a short legal document that changes one or more parts of an existing will while leaving the rest in place. It suits small, clear updates: adding a gift, changing an executor, or updating a name. You must sign a codicil and get it witnessed in the same way as a will, and there is no limit on how many codicils you can add (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change).

Adding or removing a small gift, such as a fixed sum or a named item.

Changing an executor or guardian where the rest of the will still stands.

Correcting a detail, for example a beneficiary who has changed their name.

Because a codicil sits alongside the will rather than replacing it, both documents have to be read together and stored together. Several codicils layered onto one will can become confusing, and confusion is a common source of disputes, so many people prefer a new will once changes start to add up.

Changing a will by making a new one

For anything beyond a minor tweak, many people make a new will instead of adding codicils. A new will should state clearly that it revokes, meaning officially cancels, all previous wills and codicils. Once the new one is validly signed and witnessed, the practical step is to destroy the old will by burning, tearing or otherwise destroying it so it cannot be confused for the current version (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change).

A codicil edits the existing will. A new will replaces it, and says so, cancelling everything that came before.

Codicil or new will: which to use

The choice usually comes down to how much is changing and how complicated the will already is. A codicil can be quick and low-cost for a single, tidy change. A new will is generally cleaner where several things are changing, where earlier codicils already exist, or where family circumstances have shifted. The table below sets out how the two compare.

Consideration	Codicil	New will
Best for	One small, clear change	Several changes or a fresh start
Effect on the old will	Amends part, rest stays	Revokes it entirely
Signing and witnessing	Same rules as a will	Same rules as a will
Documents to keep	Will plus each codicil	The new will only
Risk of confusion	Rises with each codicil	Lower, one document

Consideration

Codicil

New will

Best for

One small, clear change

Several changes or a fresh start

Effect on the old will

Amends part, rest stays

Revokes it entirely

Signing and witnessing

Same rules as a will

Documents to keep

Will plus each codicil

The new will only

Risk of confusion

Rises with each codicil

Lower, one document

A worked example (illustration only). Say someone made a will five years ago leaving everything to their two children and naming a sibling as executor. They now want to add a £2,000 gift to a grandchild and nothing else changes. A single codicil, signed in front of two witnesses, could handle that one addition neatly. If instead they had since remarried, wanted to provide for a new spouse, and had already added two earlier codicils, a fresh will that revokes the lot would usually be clearer than stacking a third codicil on top. Every situation is different, so this is general information rather than a recommendation for any particular will.

Signing and witnessing a change

A codicil and a new will both follow the same signing rules as the original. You must be 18 or over, of sound mind, and sign in the presence of 2 witnesses who are both over 18, who then sign in your presence. You cannot leave your witnesses, or their married partners, anything in the will (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Getting a witness wrong is a common reason a change fails to take effect.

When should you update a will?

There is no fixed schedule, but many people review a will every few years and after any major life change. Government guidance suggests reviewing a will regularly and updating it after events such as separation, divorce, marriage, having a child, or moving house, and if an executor dies (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). A will that no longer matches your circumstances can produce results you did not intend.

Marriage, civil partnership, separation or divorce
The birth or adoption of children or grandchildren
Buying, selling or moving home
The death of an executor, guardian or beneficiary
A significant change in your assets

How marriage and divorce affect a will

Marriage and divorce can change a will on their own, which surprises many people. Getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically cancels a will made beforehand, unless the will was written in contemplation of that marriage (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Divorce does not cancel the whole will, but it generally treats a former spouse as having died before you, so gifts to them and their appointment as executor usually fail while the rest of the will stands.

Because these effects happen automatically, a will that felt settled can quietly stop reflecting your wishes after a change in relationship. Reviewing what not to include is worth thinking through too; our guide on what not to put in a will covers common pitfalls, and where a change is significant many people choose to discuss it with a solicitor or a STEP practitioner.

Changing a will in Scotland and Northern Ireland

This guide describes the law of England and Wales. Scotland has its own succession law, including legal rights that can entitle a spouse and children to a fixed share of an estate whatever the will says, so the effect of a change can differ there. Northern Ireland has a separate but broadly similar system to England and Wales. If your estate touches more than one UK nation, it can be worth taking advice in each.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my will myself without a solicitor?

You can, though the change still has to be signed and witnessed correctly to be valid. Government guidance says a will can only be changed by a codicil or a new will, each witnessed like the original (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Because a small error can invalidate a change, many people choose to involve a solicitor for anything beyond a simple update.

Can I just cross out or write on my will to change it?

No. You cannot amend a will after it has been signed and witnessed, and handwritten alterations are generally ignored and can cast doubt on the whole document (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). The accepted routes are a codicil for a small change, or a new will that revokes the old one. Both need the same signing and witnessing.

How many codicils can you add to a will?

There is no limit on how many codicils you can add to a will (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). In practice, several codicils layered onto one will can become confusing and harder for executors to follow, which is a common source of disputes. Once changes start to add up, many people make a fresh will instead.

Does getting married cancel my will?

In England and Wales, getting married or entering a civil partnership automatically cancels a will made beforehand, unless that will was made in contemplation of the marriage (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). Without a valid will, the intestacy rules would decide who inherits, so many people make or update a will around a marriage.

What happens to my will if I get divorced?

Divorce does not cancel your whole will, but it generally treats a former spouse or civil partner as if they had died before you. Gifts to them and their appointment as executor usually fail, while the rest of the will stands. That can leave gaps the will did not plan for, so it is often worth reviewing the whole document after a divorce with a qualified professional.

How much does it cost to change a will?

Costs vary widely depending on whether you use a codicil or a new will, how complex the change is, and who prepares it. A single codicil is often cheaper than a full new will, but a low fee is not always the cleaner option where several things are changing. Many firms set out fees before any work begins, so it can be worth asking for a clear, written quote.

Where should I keep an updated will or codicil?

Keep the current will and any codicils together, somewhere safe that your executors can find, since a codicil only works when read alongside the will it changes. Options include storage with a solicitor or a will-storage service. Our guide on storing a will covers the main choices and how to make sure the right version is found.

About Fairchild Oldfield

The Fairchild Oldfield team brings together estate planning, tax, independent financial advice and client care, working with families across England and Wales.

Fairchild Oldfield are estate planning specialists and will writers, not a firm of solicitors. This article is general information based on practical experience, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Important: This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Reading it does not create a professional relationship. It is based on the law of England and Wales, and other UK jurisdictions may differ. Figures and rules are current as at July 2026 and are subject to change. Before acting, many people choose to seek advice from a suitably qualified professional, such as a solicitor, a STEP practitioner, an accountant, or an FCA-authorised financial adviser, who can consider your individual circumstances.