Can I update my Will without rewriting it?

Last verified: September 2026 (England and Wales)

Yes, a Will can sometimes be changed by a formal document called a codicil. It must meet legal requirements and be read alongside the original Will. It is not the same as writing a change on the signed document.

Fern Wills & LPAs does not draft codicils. Our approach is to review your existing Will and, where changes are needed, prepare a fresh Will so your instructions are clear in one document.

A review may also confirm that your existing Will still does what you want. A new address, a passing birthday or the age of the document does not automatically mean you need a replacement.

The quick answer

• Keep your signed Will intact. Do not cross out names or add handwritten instructions.
• Check the whole Will against your current circumstances, even when the change sounds small.
• A fresh Will can bring updated wishes and appointments together clearly.
• A review does not commit you to a rewrite. Agree the work and its scope first.

Why review the whole Will?

It is understandable to want a quick alteration. Perhaps an executor has died, you want to include a grandchild, or a gift no longer feels right. The important question is how that change fits with everything else in the Will.

An executor is someone appointed to deal with your estate after your death. Beneficiaries are the people or organisations who inherit. The residue is what remains after debts, expenses and any specific gifts have been dealt with.

Changing a gift can affect the balance between beneficiaries and the residue. Replacing an executor may reveal that a substitute appointment also needs attention. Family changes can affect guardians, trusts and the age at which children inherit.

A review gives those connected provisions proper attention. If a fresh Will is needed, it can preserve the wishes that still work while updating the parts that have changed. You do not have to rethink every decision from the beginning.

Why does Fern use a fresh Will instead of a codicil?

A codicil can be legally effective, but the original Will and the codicil must be kept together and interpreted together. Several amendments can make the final position harder to follow, especially if documents are missing or wording overlaps.

Fern’s preference is for one clear, current Will. Reviewing the whole document also avoids carrying forward provisions that no longer suit your circumstances. This is our service approach; it does not mean that all codicils are invalid or unsuitable.

When is a review worthwhile?

Tell us about changes such as:

• Marriage, civil partnership, divorce or a change in your relationship.
• A child or grandchild joining the family, or a beneficiary dying.
• An executor, guardian or trustee who has died, cannot act or is no longer the right choice.
• A home purchase, sale or change in ownership, or a substantial change in assets.
• Different wishes about gifts, beneficiaries, trusts or the age at which someone inherits.
• A Will that you no longer understand, or uncertainty about whether it still reflects your wishes.

These are reasons to check the position, rather than automatic instructions to rewrite. A Will may already cover future children or substitute beneficiaries, for example. Its wording matters.

Marriage and divorce need particular care

In England and Wales, marriage or civil partnership usually revokes an existing Will. An exception can apply where the Will was made in expectation of marriage or civil partnership with a particular person and was intended to remain effective. Ask for advice before the ceremony.

Divorce or dissolution does not normally revoke the whole Will. Unless the Will shows a contrary intention, it generally affects gifts to the former spouse or civil partner and their appointment as executor or trustee. Review the resulting arrangements rather than assuming everything now passes as you intend.

What if I only have one small question?

Start by telling Fern what has changed and what you want to achieve. A short initial conversation can help establish the appropriate next step. It is not automatically necessary to book a full review for every question.

Where a structured review would help, our Will MOT guide explains what it covers. The outcome may be reassurance that the Will remains suitable, a recommendation to investigate a particular point, or a fresh Will.

If you want to remove someone or substantially reduce their inheritance, say so at the start. The reasons and family circumstances may need particular attention, and specialist advice may be appropriate where a dispute is likely.

Illustrative examples

These examples show why the surrounding circumstances matter. They are not accounts of identified clients.

An executor has died

Someone asks only to replace their executor. The review also finds that the substitute can no longer act and that the residue clause no longer reflects the family. A fresh Will deals with the connected changes together.

The family has grown

A couple made Wills before having children. A review considers whether the existing wording covers their children, as well as guardians, replacement appointments and how an inheritance would be held. Any new Will can preserve the wishes that remain appropriate.

The Will is recent, but circumstances have changed

A person’s Will is only a few years old, but their home ownership and intended balance between beneficiaries have changed. The need for a review comes from those changes, rather than the document’s age.

Here are answers to common questions about changing an existing Will.

Can I write the changes on my Will?

Do not alter the signed document yourself. Crossing out a name, adding a note or attaching a list is not a reliable way to make a valid change and can create uncertainty. Keep the original intact and ask for advice.

Does changing an address mean I need a new Will?

Not necessarily. An address may simply help identify someone. A move involving a property specifically gifted in the Will, or a change in ownership, can raise a different issue. Explain what changed so the wording can be considered.

What if I already have a codicil?

Tell Fern about it when arranging a review. The Will and any codicils need to be considered together. Do not assume that preparing a new draft has already replaced the signed documents.

Is a rewrite always expensive?

The work depends on your circumstances and the changes needed. A seemingly small amendment can involve wider planning questions. Fern will explain the proposed work and fee before you decide to proceed.

Find out whether your Will needs changing

Contact Fern Wills & LPAs and tell us what has changed, roughly when your Will was made and what you would like it to achieve now.

We can discuss the appropriate next step and agree the scope of any review or drafting. The aim is a Will that reflects your wishes and gives the people dealing with your estate clear instructions.

For current fees, please see Services & Fees.

This article is general information only, not individual advice.