As your circumstances change you may wish to make alterations to your Will.

The advantage of doing this by writing a codicil is that it avoids the need to write a new Will and can be a cheaper option. The downside is there is a risk that your codicil will be missed by your executors unless it’s stored with your Will - it cannot be physically attached. For this reason, codicils are preferred for minor additions or amendments, rather than major changes, where a new Will is more appropriate.

Reasons to add a codicil

• If a named executor has died, and you wish to appoint a new executor
• You want to make small alterations to your wishes and assets; for example, because your financial circumstances have changed
• You wish to change your will following the birth of children or grandchildren to reflect their inheritance 

Remember

• Your executors will need to be made aware that the codicil exists 
• Your codicil must be signed and witnessed by two people in the same way as your Will - you don’t need to use the same witnesses for both documents
• A codicil can be prepared by a different solicitor to that who prepared the Will, although it may be more practical and cost-effective to use the same Firm 
•  It is considered bad legal practice to alter details pertaining to your main assets, such as property