How do I change a signed will or trust?

State law and the existing document control how a signed will or trust may be changed. Common methods can include a new will, a properly signed codicil, a trust amendment, a restatement, or a revocation. Handwritten changes may not be effective. A licensed attorney can identify the proper method for a specific document.

General information

• The new document must follow current signing rules.
• Conflicting versions create delay and disputes.
• Related beneficiary forms and powers may also need updates.

Service steps to consider

1. Possible resource or approach: a clean formal amendment or replacement.
2. Handling old copies requires care because destroying, marking, or keeping them can affect later interpretation. A licensed attorney can advise how to handle old and replacement documents.
3. Considering whether to tell people who may act where the current originals are stored.

Quick check

• Has a person, asset, or address changed?
• Do all account forms match the plan?
• Can the right person find the current forms?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills offers document updates through its published update service and can help customers access or revise eligible online documents. Support cannot decide whether a life event legally changes an existing document. Only a state-licensed attorney can provide that analysis. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• Risk: writing changes on a signed will or trust while assuming they are valid. A licensed attorney can advise about a properly executed amendment or replacement.
• After a death, the executor, trustee, family, and experts must follow the controlling documents, account contracts, court rules, and tax law. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.