Changing a will
Make and manage codicils for your will
Use a codicil to make minor amendments to your existing will
A codicil is a written document, which lets you make small changes to your original will without having to rewrite it from scratch. It's prepared under the same formalities required for a will and is only valid when it refers to the will it amends. It should be witnessed, signed, and kept with your will.
If your will contains five or more codicils, it's probably better to draft a new will to avoid any confusion. Codicils are recognised in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Some examples of when you might use a codicil include:
- Appointing a new executor if, for example, a named executor has died.
- Reflecting changes in your financial circumstances, assets and liabilities.
- Updating your wishes regarding your funeral, burial or cremation.
- Changes because of a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership - but in these cases it's often better to make a new will.
| Self Service | Self Service & Expert Legal Review * |
|---|
| Executor changes | ||
|---|---|---|
Codicil appointing an additional executorIf you want to appoint someone new as an executor in your will, as well as the person(s) you've already named, you can use this codicil to do so without affecting the rest of your will. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil appointing a substitute executorIf you want to appoint a substitute executor, in case one of your existing executors dies or is unable to act for you, you can use this codicil to do so without changing the rest of your will. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil appointing substitute executor on death of executorIf an executor of your will dies, you can use this codicil to appoint a substitute. All other details in your will remain unchanged. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil revoking or changing choice of executorIf you would like to change your executor(s) for any reason you can use this codicil. All other details will stay the same. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
| Gift changes | ||
Codicil making a gift to a new beneficiaryIf you want to make a gift of money or an item to a new beneficiary that you haven't already specified, you can use this codicil to update your will without affecting the rest of it. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil making an additional gift to an existing beneficiaryIf you want to make another gift of money or an item to a beneficiary already named in your will you can use this codicil. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil revoking a gift to a named beneficiaryIf you want to cancel a gift previously made in your will but leave all other details the same, you can use this codicil. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil revoking gift to one and giving to anotherIf you have changed your mind over a gift or money given in your will and would like that gift, or another, given to someone else you can use this codicil. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
| Guardian changes | ||
Codicil appointing a guardianIf you haven't named a guardian for your children in your will, you can use this codicil to appoint a guardian leaving the rest of your will unchanged. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil appointing a substitute guardianA substitute guardian is someone who will care for your children if your first named guardian passes away or is unable to do so in the event of your death. You can use this codicil to appoint a substitute guardian without changing the rest of your will. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil replacing a guardianIf someone you originally chose as a guardian for your children is no longer able to act, you can use this codicil to replace your named guardian, leaving the rest of your will unchanged. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Codicil replacing a substitute guardianA substitute guardian is someone who will care for your children if your first named guardian passes away or is unable to do so in the event of your death. You can use this codicil to replace your chosen substitute guardian, if they are no longer able to act, without changing the rest of your will. See more about this codicil |
£19 Buy now | £39 Buy now |
Which? Wills offers products for complete peace of mind. See our full range of products
A will ensures your estate and assets are correctly distributed
Give guidance on almost anything you'd like to happen after your death
After writing a will, it's vital that you store it in a safe place
Register your will so it's easy to find after your death
Need to find a will? Use our wills search service to quickly locate it
* The legal review involves our wills specialists reviewing the answers you provided when completing your document questionnaire. It provides comfort that if you properly execute or sign your document it will comply with legal formalities and meet the requirements you specified.
