Will Amendment Lawyer in Los Angeles

Consult with a Los Angeles Trust Attorney 

While a person’s last will and testament can carry the enforceability of law, it is by no means set in stone. If a person wishes to change the terms in their will, they may do so through the use of a codicil. In simple terms, a codicil is a written amendment that allows a person to change, clarify, remove, or add provisions to their will. If you need to make a change to your existing will, a knowledgeable trust lawyer from the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro can help you. Having helped countless clients throughout Los Angeles, Malibu, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and the surrounding areas, our firm can guide you step-by-step through the process and help you achieve your goals.

When you meet with us, we review your existing estate plan, discuss the life changes that have occurred, and help you decide whether a focused codicil or a more comprehensive will update is appropriate. Because California has specific execution and witnessing requirements for valid will changes, we make sure your documents are prepared and signed in a way that will stand up in a Los Angeles County probate court. We also take time to explain how a will amendment may interact with any existing trusts or beneficiary designations so that your overall plan remains coordinated and consistent.

Get in touch with our office online or contact us at (310) 853-1554 to request a consultation with an experienced Los Angeles will amendment attorney.

Why Should I Amend My Will?

As time goes on, people will periodically need to amend their will to accommodate major life changes such as marriages, divorces, deaths, births, relocations, major changes in assets, and starting businesses. Events such as these can bring about a change in a person’s beneficiaries or completely alter the way a person wishes to distribute their assets upon their passing. This is where codicils come in handy.

A codicil can help accomplish the following:

• Changing executors
• Changing the guardians of a child’s property
• Replacing or choosing guardians
• Naming custodians for gifts to children
• Naming new beneficiaries
• Removing beneficiaries

Codicils take effect the day they are signed and work in tandem with your existing will. Like a last will and testament, codicils must be signed and dated in the presence of witnesses to be valid. When a person passes away, both the will and the codicil will be used to determine how property, belongings, and other assets will be distributed.

In our practice, we often see that people delay updating their documents because they are unsure whether a change is “significant enough” to justify a formal will amendment. In reality, even what seems like a small change—such as updating a beneficiary’s legal name, adding a charitable gift, or adjusting how a specific piece of real estate in Los Angeles is handled—can prevent confusion and conflict later. By talking through your current wishes and family dynamics with us, you can identify gaps in your existing will and decide which specific provisions should be revised now rather than leaving your loved ones to sort things out during the probate process.

How a Los Angeles Codicils Attorney Can Help

Your last will and testament is a tremendously important legal document, as it dictates exactly how you wish your estate to be handled. For this reason, you must take steps to ensure your will remains up-to-date and accurately reflects your current needs and goals. This is where our firm’s services apply. At the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro, P.C., our Los Angeles codicil lawyer is ready to assist you. Let us put our experience, skill, and knowledge to work for you so you can face your future with peace of mind.

When you work with a will amendment attorney at our firm, we will walk you through each provision that may be affected by a codicil, explain the legal consequences of the changes you are considering, and help you weigh different options before anything is signed. We also coordinate the proper execution of your documents with qualified witnesses so that your codicil and any related will amendment comply with California law. Because we focus on trust and estate matters in the Los Angeles area, we can flag issues that often arise in local probate courts and structure your documents to reduce the risk of disputes or delays for your family down the road.

When a Will Amendment May Be Better Than a New Will

Many people are unsure whether they should create an entirely new will or simply add a codicil to update their existing document. The right approach depends on the scope of the changes you want to make and how long ago your original will was prepared. If your overall estate plan still reflects your general wishes, but you need to fine-tune certain provisions, a focused amendment can be a practical and efficient solution that preserves the work you have already done.

We help clients evaluate how extensive their desired changes really are by reviewing each article of the will and identifying sections that no longer fit their current circumstances. For example, if you are only changing an executor, updating a guardian, or adjusting one or two specific gifts, a carefully drafted codicil may meet your needs while keeping the rest of your will intact. On the other hand, if your family structure, assets, or goals have shifted significantly since the will was signed, we may recommend a more comprehensive update so that all provisions work together and there is less room for conflicting language.

In Los Angeles, it is also important to consider how your will interacts with local property holdings and any existing trust documents. A targeted will amendment can address new real estate interests in Los Angeles County, clarify how a closely held business should pass, or align your plan with a living trust that has been created more recently. By having this discussion with us, you gain clarity on the most appropriate path forward and avoid piecemeal changes that could create confusion for your heirs and for the probate judge who ultimately reviews your estate plan.

Understanding California Requirements for Valid Will Amendments

Any change to a will must follow the same general formalities as the original document, and California law is strict about these rules. A codicil typically needs to be in writing, signed by the person making the will, and witnessed by qualifying adults who understand that they are signing a document related to a will. These requirements apply whether you are making a small adjustment or a more substantial will amendment, and failing to follow them can lead to disputes later.

Because probate matters in Los Angeles County are handled through the Superior Court, questions about the validity of a codicil will ultimately be evaluated under California’s probate statutes and local court practices. Issues can arise if the amendment is handwritten, not clearly dated, or appears inconsistent with other documents in your estate plan. We take time to prepare codicils in a clear, organized format so that your intent is easy to follow and so that your family has fewer reasons to challenge the changes after you are gone.

When we assist clients with will changes, we also pay careful attention to how witnesses are selected and how the signing ceremony is conducted. Having independent adult witnesses who are not receiving gifts under the will can reduce questions about undue influence or conflicts of interest. We provide guidance on maintaining copies of your updated documents and ensuring the original is stored safely, so that when your estate is administered in a Los Angeles courtroom, there is a straightforward record of your decisions that the judge and your personal representative can rely on.

Call (310) 853-1554 or schedule a free case evaluation today to review your legal options with a qualified will amendment attorney in Los Angeles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Review My Will for Possible Amendments?

It is generally wise to review your will every few years or after any major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, or significant change in assets. Regular review helps you catch provisions that no longer reflect your wishes before they cause problems for your loved ones. Even if no changes are needed, a periodic check-in gives you peace of mind that your estate plan remains current.

Can I Write My Own Codicil Without Legal Guidance?

It is possible to draft a codicil on your own, but doing so carries risks if you are not familiar with the legal formalities required in California. Language that seems clear to you might be interpreted differently later, and small mistakes in signing or witnessing can lead to the amendment being ignored. Consulting with a legal professional helps you reduce these risks and create a document that is more likely to be honored by the court.

Does a Codicil Change My Entire Will?

A codicil typically changes only the specific provisions it refers to and leaves the rest of your will in place. This allows you to update particular sections without starting from scratch. It is still important, however, to make sure the new language does not accidentally conflict with other parts of your will, which is why a careful review of the entire document is recommended whenever you make amendments.

Our expert will amendment lawyer is ready to provide personalized legal guidance. Call (310) 853-1554 to secure your consultation.