Can I Make Handwritten Changes To a Typewritten Will?

Many people assume they can make simple handwritten changes to a typed Will—cross out a name, add a line, initial the change, and be done. But under Texas law, it’s not that simple. Whether those handwritten edits are valid depends on when they were made and whether they follow the formal requirements required to make a Will valid.

Are Handwritten Changes Valid

Handwritten changes a Testator makes before signing a typewritten Will are valid if the testator signs the Will after making them and observes the required formalities.

However, handwritten changes made after the Will has been signed are not valid unless you have observed all the requirements needed to create a new Will or codicil, including signing the Will in front of two witnesses.

Additionally, if handwritten modifications make it impossible to determine the original intent of the Will, a probate court may refuse to admit it to probate altogether.

Reasons You Might Want to Change a Typewritten Will

There are plenty of minor reasons you might want to modify your typewritten Will. You may want to replace the executor you originally selected with another trusted family member. Or perhaps, you’ve decided that you’d like Grandma’s china to pass to your niece, rather than your nephew. And you would like your newly acquired Harley-Davidson motorcycle to pass to your brother.

Because the changes seem so minor, it might be tempting to write them directly on your Will. For good measure, you might initial above the changes. That way, others would know you were responsible for the alterations and interlineations. That should work, right?

The short answer is no.

How to Correctly Change Your Will?

If you want to update your Will, you have two legally valid options:

1. Sign a Codicil

A codicil is a legal amendment to a Will that changes specific provisions without replacing the entire document. For example, you could create a codicil that names a new executor.

However, codicils must be executed with the same formalities as a Will, including witness signatures. They can also be lost or misinterpreted if not carefully drafted and stored with your Will. Over time, multiple codicils can cause confusion and conflict with original provisions.

2. Create a New Will

Often, the best option is to revoke the old Will and create a new one. This approach is clearer, especially when several updates are needed. Today’s word processing tools make creating a new Will simple and cost-effective, particularly when working with an estate planning attorney who can ensure consistency and legal compliance.

Different Rules for Holographic Wills

Holographic Wills—those written entirely in the testator’s handwriting—are treated differently. If a person handwrites changes to a Will and those changes can stand alone as a complete testamentary document, a Texas court may recognize them as a valid holographic Will.

But this exception does not apply to typed Wills with a few handwritten edits. Partial handwritten additions do not turn a typed Will into a holographic Will.

Key Takeaway

Making handwritten changes to a signed typewritten Will is not valid under Texas law unless the changes comply with all legal requirements for a Will or codicil. Informal edits can cause confusion, delay probate, or even invalidate the entire document.

If you need to make updates, talk to an estate planning attorney about the safest and most effective way to revise your Will.

This article was originally published on June 16, 2014, and updated on June 9, 2025.