Originally published: January 10, 2020 | Last updated: March 5, 2026
TL;DR: You must create a brand new Will whenever you want to update your document because you should avoid using handwritten changes or codicils. You need to update your will after any major life event which includes getting married or divorced or having a child or when the people listed in your will change. The cost for attorney updates ranges between $600 and $1,000. At USLegalWills.com , your initial $49.95 includes one year of unlimited updates, with extensions as low as $59.95 for a Lifetime plan. Moving house does not require a Will update. You do not need to see your old lawyer – a new signed Will automatically revokes all previous ones.
A USLegalWills.com survey found that for Americans over 65, over 15% had a Will they considered out of date. Overall, 65% of American adults do not have an up-to-date Will. The problem is that traditionally, writing and updating a Will has been expensive and inconvenient – requiring multiple lawyer appointments, schedule coordination with a spouse, and potentially childcare arrangements. As a result, people treat Will writing as a once-in-a-lifetime activity, waiting for the “perfect time” that never arrives.
Table of Contents
When Should I Update My Will?
Family Changes That Require a Will Update
| Life Event | Impact on Your Will | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Getting married | Will is automatically cancelled in most states | Write a new Will immediately |
| Having a child | Need guardian and trust provisions | Update Will to name guardian and set up trust |
| Getting divorced | Provisions for ex-spouse revoked in most states | Prepare a new Will entirely |
| Separating from spouse | No impact – spouse remains beneficiary | Update Will if you don’t want spouse to inherit |
| Living common-law | Partner has no legal claim without a Will | Update Will to include partner |
Key details on family changes:
- Marriage: In most states, marriage automatically cancels your existing Will. You should also update beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance. For second marriages with children from previous relationships, estate planning is especially critical to ensure all children are provided for.
- Having a child: Your Will should appoint a guardian for minor children and create a trust for inherited funds. Without a Will, the court appoints a guardian and inheritance is held in a guardianship account until age 18–21.
- Divorce: In most states, divorce revokes Will provisions for your ex-spouse. They are treated as having predeceased you, and everything they would have received goes to the alternate beneficiary. Some states cancel the entire Will.
- Separation: This is the most overlooked trigger. A separation has absolutely no impact on your Will – your estranged spouse remains the main beneficiary unless you update it.
- Common-law: “Common-law” or “cohabiting” status is not recognized in estate planning. If you die without a Will, your common-law partner has no claim to your estate.
When Something Happens to Someone Named in Your Will
You may need to update your Will if:
- Your alternate Executor is taken ill or can no longer serve
- Your named guardians move overseas or have significant life changes
- A beneficiary dies or has children of their own
- A beneficiary has a windfall, making your bequest less meaningful
It is entirely possible that a Will prepared with an estate planning attorney could be out of date by the time you get home.
When You Simply Change Your Mind
You may discover a charity doing important work and want to include them. A person may do something meaningful for your family. You may drift apart from a named beneficiary. A charity may become embroiled in scandal. There are many unforeseen reasons for a change of heart.
Do I Need to Update My Will If I Move House?
No. Changing your address does not affect your Will. Your Will simply needs to identify you – if it says “John Doe, of 123 Main Street, Austin, Texas” and you move to First Avenue, the Will remains perfectly valid. Even if you move to a different state, your Will remains valid because a Will written under the laws of any US state is accepted in every other state. However, if you do update your Will, make sure the new document complies with the laws of your current state.
What Are the Different Ways to Write a Will?
Understanding how your Will was originally written determines the best way to update it.
Option 1: Blank Sheet of Paper or DIY Kit
The cheapest approach, but the most dangerous. A handwritten Will (holographic Will) does not require witnesses, but it is a terrible way to prepare a Will.
Option 2: Estate Planning Attorney
Provides legal advice and estate planning strategies, but comes at significant cost ($800+ for a simple Will) and time investment (multiple office visits). Income level is not a reliable predictor of whether someone has a Will – the main barrier is the inconvenience of coordinating appointments.
Option 3: Online Interactive Software
Online services like USLegalWills.com sit between blank kits and attorneys, offering a professional-grade Will at a fraction of the cost. The process takes 20–30 minutes, includes complementary features like MyLifeLocker, a Digital Vault, and MyKeyholder, and most importantly – allows quick and easy updates.
How Can I Update My Will?
There are three methods, but only one is recommended:
1. Can I Handwrite a Change on My Will?
Legally, you can write a change on your Will, initial it, and have two witnesses sign. But this is a bad idea. It is not obvious who made the changes or whether they were made before or after the testator died. Even a change as simple as an Executor’s name requires two witnesses, so there is no advantage to this approach – and it makes your Will far more vulnerable to legal challenges.
2. What Is a Codicil?
A codicil is a separate document that references and amends the original Will. Historically, codicils existed because handwritten Wills were difficult to edit without destroying the manuscript. Today, with computers and printers, codicils serve no purpose. They create confusion, especially when multiple codicils reference each other. A codicil requires the exact same signing and witnessing as a full Will, so there is no time saving. Avoid codicils entirely.
3. Should I Just Prepare a New Will?
Yes. Always. The only recommended way to update your Will is to prepare a brand new document. Your new Will automatically revokes (cancels) all previous Wills without needing to reference them specifically. It simply becomes your current, valid document.
How Much Does It Cost to Update My Will?
| Method | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handwritten changes | $0 | Not recommended – easily challenged |
| Attorney (per change) | $100/change | Usually leads to full review at higher cost |
| Attorney (new Will) | $600–$1,000 | Same cost as original Will preparation |
| USLegalWills.com (Year 1) | Included in $49.95 | Unlimited updates for the first year |
| USLegalWills.com (ongoing) | $14.95/year or $59.95 for a Lifetime plan (Lifetime plan) | Optional – your printed Will is valid forever |
Many people come to USLegalWills.com because their attorney quoted $800 to make a relatively minor change. Our service covers the same update for a fraction of the cost.
Do I Need to See My Old Lawyer to Update My Will?
No. Legally, as soon as you sign and date your new document in the presence of two witnesses, your old Will is revoked. There is no requirement to retrieve your old Will from the lawyer’s office or make an appointment to cancel it. The old Will is cancelled automatically the moment the new one is signed.
Can I Update My Will Without a Lawyer?
Yes. Just as you can prepare your own Will without a lawyer, you can update it without one. There is no legal requirement to use a lawyer to write or update a Will. Any update simply needs to be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses to become legally valid.
How Does Updating Work at USLegalWills.com?
USLegalWills.com guides you through ten sections which help you define your family status and select your Executor and guardian appointments and distribute your estate for charitable gifts and pet care.
The initial $49.95 gives you one year of unlimited updates. You can download your Will as PDF or Word, but it must be printed and signed with two witnesses to be legally valid. If you choose not to maintain an account after the first year, your initial payment is all you ever pay – no credit card details are kept on file.
Optional extended update periods:
- 1 additional year: $14.95
- 5 years: $29.95
- 10 years: $44.95
- Lifetime: $59.95
Important: Every time you update your Will, the new document must be printed and signed again in the presence of two witnesses. Your existing printed Will remains valid whether or not you maintain an online account.
What Happens to My Old Will?
The first clause in all Wills written at USLegalWills.com states that it revokes all prior Wills and Codicils. As soon as the new document is signed and witnessed, all previous Wills are voided. You can only have one Last Will and Testament. It is good practice to destroy old copies, but not a requirement – previously dated Wills are automatically no longer in effect.
Write or Update Your Will Today
No appointment is necessary. You can write or update your Will this evening, at the weekend, or start today and finish next week. The key is to get started.
Related Articles
- Write Your Own Will – 10 Reasons Why It Makes Sense
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- Last Will and Testament – What It Is, When You Need It, How to Write It
- Are There Even Fewer Americans Without Wills?
- Making a Will: 5 Reasons to Not Procrastinate
- Want to Contest a Will? How Can a Will Be Challenged?
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets, and has contributed to articles in The New York Times, NY Metro Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and other leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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