A codicil is an amendment to your will that changes your will’s instructions. Write something along the lines of, “I, Lana O’Connor, currently residing at 810 N 18th Street, declare this as my last will and testament, and I revoke all previous wills and codicils that I’ve written in the past. "
You will officially name who your executor is later on in your will. This would read, “My executor is responsible for seeing that my debts and funeral expenses are paid for. "
Your assets account for everything you own, including your bank accounts, your house, your car, and things like jewelry, clothes, and family heirlooms. Assets can also refer to properly like stocks, royalties, and bonds. [6] X Research source An example of how to leave an asset to a beneficiary would read, “I leave my jewelry collection to my daughter, Annette Langley. " You might also say “I bequeath my jewelry collection. . . ,” as this is another term for leaving an asset to someone. You don’t have to list every single one of your assets if you don’t want to. After listing everything you plan to include in your will, leave the rest of your assets to someone by naming them as the beneficiary of your residuary estate. An example of how to leave your entire estate to a sole beneficiary would read, “I leave my entire estate to my partner Robert Langley. "
To name a guardian, write, “If my wife Suzanne Allen does not survive me, I appoint my sister Tina Rodriguez as the legal guardian of my minor children. " To name a conservator, write, “If my wife Suzanne Allen does not survive me, I appoint my brother Albert Rodriguez as the conservator of my minor children’s assets until they turn 18. " Talk to the people you name as guardians or conservators ahead of time so that they can consent to the role.
Include something like, “I appoint my brother Ralph Harmon as executor of my estate. " Just in case, you might include an alternate executor. Add an additional line, such as, “If Ralph Harmon does not survive me or is ineligible for serving as my executor, then I appoint my friend Leila Simmons as executor of my estate. "
Make sure your witnesses add a date next to their signatures to make it valid. You don’t need a notary under California law, just 2 witnesses. [11] X Research source
An example of a codicil would read, “I, Kate Smith, currently residing at 5309 SE 78th Ave, declare that this is a codicil to my last will and testament. " Include the date of when your original will was signed to make your codicil irrefutable.
To fill out a statutory will form, you’ll need 2 impartial witnesses that are not listed as beneficiaries in your will. Pick 2 witnesses and make sure to include their signatures if you go with this option! Be extra careful while you fill out these forms. Crossing out words or whiting out typos will make your will invalid. If you mess up, print out another form and start over.
You might try hiring an estate attorney if you have many notable assets (i. e. multiple homes), children from multiple marriages, or complex business arrangements.
A holographic will might be more vulnerable to being contested in court. This is because there were no witnesses to attest to the fact that you were mentally competent and not under duress when you wrote it.
