Codicil to Add a Beneficiary

Easily Change a Beneficiary with Our Codicil Template

This is our Codicil to Add a Beneficiary template. As well as creating a new legacy to a new beneficiary, you can also use it to change a beneficiary of an existing legacy in your Will.

You can also use it to change the way your residuary estate is left or divided.

Legalo’s Codicil templates make altering your Will such an easy and quick thing to do.  So you don’t need to use a lawyer at any stage of the Codicil process. It is made even easier because of our full guidance notes which are included with the template.

Why Choose Our Codicil Template for Changing Beneficiaries

We’ve sold over a thousand of our various Codicil templates. We are a team of UK qualified lawyers, with extensive experience in drafting Codicil templates, Wills and related legal documents. At Legalo we have been selling legal document templates for over 8 years and have thousands of satisfied customers.

Our codicil template is drafted in clear plain English. It is a very popular addendum for beneficiary changes. We created it to be easy to complete. So it generally takes our clients less than ten minutes to complete the document.

We include full guidance notes with the Codicil to change beneficiaries. If you have any questions when completing the template you can contact us via email or telephone. We can guide you through any questions you may have, so we make it easy for you.

How to Use Our Codicil Template to Add or Change a Beneficiary

You can download our template Codicil in Word format. Once downloaded you simply add in your required details to complete the document. Our guide has been prepared to answer the most common questions that we receive.

Once drafted you will need to print the Codicil and sign it. You must sign the Codicil in the presence of a witness for it to be legally binding.

The completed Codicil acts an an addendum to your Will.

Once signed and witnessed, we recommend that you keep your Codicil with your original Will.

Frequently Asked Questions: Changing Beneficiaries with a Codicil

We set out below answers to some of the common questions we get asked about changing beneficiaries with a Codicil.

Can I change the beneficiaries of my will by a codicil?

Yes, and, with our specialised template, this is an easy task to carry out. So you can do it quickly and cost-effectively.

What is a codicil for removing beneficiary?

This is a specialised codicil that focuses just on your making changes to beneficiaries. So it is perfect for adding or removing a beneficiary.

How do I add a new beneficiary to my Will?

You would use a codicil for this. You can use a codicil to make any change to your will. If you want to make other changes, then consider our general codicil.

How much does it cost to change beneficiaries in a Will?

With our codicil the cost is minimal. Each of our templates comes with its own written guide. The guide covers the options and takes you through each clause one-by-one.

Can I use a codicil to change more than one beneficiary at a time?

Yes, there’s not a limit on how many changes you can make using a codicil.

Can you cancel a beneficiary to a Will?

Yes, by a codicil you can make a change to any part of your will. So you can cancel legacies or remove a beneficiary to your residuary estate.

Is there a maximum to the number of times I can change my beneficiaries using a codicil?

No, there is no technical maximum number of codicils you can make to your will. If it gets confused though or you want to make extensive changes, then you might be netter making a new will.

Can I use a codicil to change the distribution percentages of my estate among beneficiaries?

Yes, this is exactly how you can use a codicil. By a codicil you can change or adjust anything that you have put in your Will. So using a codicil is an easy way to update your will.

Do I need to have my codicil witnessed?

Yes, your codicil has to be witnessed by 2 adults. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries of your will (or by the codicil), so be careful over this or the legacies to them will be invalid. This method is the same as how you signed your will. Our guide tells you how to do this correctly so that you know how to execute it validly.

Benefits of Using a Codicil to Change Beneficiaries

There are several key benefits to using a codicil to change beneficiaries. These apply whether you want to add or remove beneficiaries, or change their entitlements. They include:

• Fast and simple means of changing your Will.
• Considerably cheaper than hiring a solicitor.
• A Codicil is legally binding, so long as you sign it correctly.

Other Codicil templates available

Our other Codicil templates include:

• General codicil to amend any clauses in your Will;
• Specific codicil to alter a gift to a charity; and
• Specific codicil to change an executor.

Would I be better off re-making my will?

No, generally not if you are only proposing to add or change a beneficiary.

If you  want to make extensive changes to your Will, then, yes, have a think about re-making your Will entirely, instead of using a Codicil. To see our full range of Wills, click on this link.