How do I amend my will?

How can I amend my will? Is it even possible for me to amend my will? It is possible. So let's look at how to amend wills.

Is it possible for me to amend my will?

A will can only be amended while executing the will or after the date of execution of the will. Amendments must comply with the same requirements that are necessary for executing a valid will.

When amending a will the same witnesses who signed the original will need to sign the amendment. Two new witnesses can sign the amendment. (See requirements for executing a valid will).

How to amend wills?

There are four main ways to amend a will:

1. Inserting additional paragraphs into the will.

2. Writing additional words between the existing lines of the will.

3. Altering the words or numbers in the will.

4. Drawing lines through words, numbers or whole paragraphs of the will so as to delete them. It doesn't matter whether or not you insert new material in its place.

A codicil is another way in which to amend a will. A codicil is a schedule or annexure (attachment) to an existing will. Codicils supplement or amend an existing will. A codicil must comply with the same requirements that are necessary for executing a valid will. Again the same witnesses who signed the original will need not sign the codicil. Two new witnesses can sign the codicil.