How To Change A Will in Texas
You can modify your Texas last will and testament, amend your will, or otherwise change your will in Texas with a legal document called a “codicil.” You should never attempt to make changes to a will by writing on the will or striking provisions out in a will. Handwritten modifications on a typewritten will are generally ignored by the probate court, so it is best to use a legal codicil for making changes to a Texas will.
What Is a Codicil?
A codicil is an amendment to your will that allows you to make small changes to your will without starting over with a new will. The codicil is a simple legal document that supplements an existing will.
Changing a last will and testament with a codicil involves a very simple process. First, contact an estate planning attorney and tell the attorney which will modifications you need. Then, the lawyer will draft a codicil with your desired amendments. You will need to sign the codicil in the presence of a notary and two witnesses, similar to when you signed the original last will and testament.
Finally, I recommend that you physically attach the will codicil to the original will; this way, you minimize the chance of someone finding the will without also finding the codicil.
How to Get Free Will Review
Even if you don’t know of specific changes needed in your existing will, I recommend that you have your last will and testament reviewed periodically by a dedicated wills and probate attorney. Reason being, probate laws change over time, and your family changes over time, too. You may be surprised at how many of the will provisions need to be changed.
Will Reviews are performed for free at Shutt Law Firm, PLLC. If it has been a few years since you had your will reviewed by an attorney, simply provide a copy to Shutt Law Firm, and estate planning attorney Isaac Shutt will review your will for free. Have your will reviewed every 3-5 years and every time there is a change in your family.
If your will does require amendments, will codicils are inexpensive at Shutt Law Firm. Since the process is simple and affordable to have your will reviewed and updated, and since there can be large consequences of dying with an out-of-date will–it is a good idea to have a wills lawyer provide a free will review at least every five years.
Schedule an Estate Planning Consultation or request a Free Will Review by calling (214) 302-8197 or by using the online calendar.
Mr. Shutt assists clients with Will Review, Codicils to Wills, and Estate Planning in Dallas, TX, Richardson, Garland, Plano, Wylie, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, and surrounding North Texas towns. Shutt Law Firm is conveniently located in Richardson, TX, near the intersection of highway 75 and Arapaho Road.