Individual state laws govern wills, so what you can do to your will without invalidating it depends on where you live. Although you don't technically break the law if you make handwritten changes, you run the risk of the court either declining to accept your entire will as valid or refusing to abide by the changes if you don't make them correctly.
Formalizing the Change
Having a new will prepared when you want to make substantial changes is always preferable. But if it's difficult for you to get to the lawyer's office, or you just want to amend one item or make a minor change, at least two states have ruled that handwritten updates are acceptable under certain circumstances. A Georgia court ruled that changes to a will were valid if the decedent initialed them. Texas laws provide that such changes are acceptable if you memorialize them in the same way you did your will -- you must place your signature beneath or close to the change.
Adding a Codicil
Another option is to add a codicil to your will to explain the changes. This also usually requires that you sign it and have it witnessed just as you did your will. In states that recognize holographic or handwritten wills, it may be acceptable if the entire codicil is in your own handwriting, even if your will is not. If you're unsure about the rules in your state, consult with a lawyer to avoid invalidating important aspects of your estate plan.
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Writer Bio
Beverly Bird has been writing professionally for over 30 years. She is also a paralegal, specializing in areas of personal finance, bankruptcy and estate law. She writes as the tax expert for The Balance.