Making Changes to my Will – do I use a Codicil?

30 August, 2024

Nearly a third of adults over 55 years and older have not made a Will at all. However, many have but then do not review that documentation frequently enough. 

We advise clients to review their Will every 3-5 years and upon the occurrence of life changing events. 

You can make alterations to an existing Will by preparing a codicil or by updating the current Will. 

Preparing a codicil may appear to be a more straightforward procedure. The historic reason for this type of document was to save the time and effort required in preparing an entirely new Will. 

However, this was when Wills were handwritten or (more recently) typed using a typewriter. Now that we live in the age of computers and printers, there is very little time saving associated with using a codicil. 

Furthermore, a codicil still needs to be signed and witnessed in the same way that a Will does – in the presence of two independent witnesses. 

Given that there is now little difference in the time spent between amending a current Will and preparing a codicil, it is also likely that there will be little difference in cost.

In the past, it was perceived that preparing a Will was expensive and time consuming. Thus, many people put off doing so – waiting for a time in their life when they felt there circumstances would not change. 

Now that it is much more straight forward to amend this type of document – whatever future milestones await you, preparing your Will can be done now and reviewed as and when you reach such milestones!

For information and advice on updating and reviewing your Will, it is sensible to take some advice from a specialist. For assistance contact Rebecca Robinson on 01244 408173 or at Rebecca.robinson@storrarcowdry.co.uk