Address change in will

I am licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

As has already been said, it is a good idea to have your will reviewed every 5 years or so, or upon the happening of a major life event - acquisition of property, death in the family, birth or divorce in the family - to make sure that your wishes are still reflected in your will.

The codicil must be executed with all of the testamentary formalities as the original will in order to be valid.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you would like to schedule an estate planning meeting to review your current will (health care planning and other documents).

If a will is valid, it is effective until it is changed, revoked, destroyed, or invalidated by the writing of a new will.  Changes or additions to an otherwise acceptable will can be most easily accomplished by adding a "codicil".  A codicil is a document amending the original will, with equally binding effect. Therefore, a codicil must be executed in compliance with applicable law, using the same formality as the original will.  Wills cannot be changed by simply crossing out existing language or adding new provisions, because those changes do not comply with the formal requirements of will execution.

In today's world of computers getting a new will drawn up is no great undertaking.  While a codicil will do - if done properly - you may just want to have a new Will done.  Possibly there have been other changes that should be made as well.

Bottom line, every 5 years or so it is a good idea to have an attorney review your estate plan, even if its just a Will.  Changes in the law or other life circumstances could necessitate making other modifications to your Will.