changes to will

[VSPeck1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

I need to make some changes to my will. Can I make these changes in pen and ink on the existing will, initial the changes and have the changes initialed by a witness? Does the witness have to be the same person who witnessed the original will?

 

[FeldmanLaw]

It depends on the state. You will want to look in the Indiana statutes. Usually a codicil needs to be notarized. In Washington, a change to a tangible personal property memorandum may be handwritten without any type of notarization, etc.

 

[Zigner]

It depends on the state. You will want to look in the Indiana statutes. Usually a codicil needs to be notarized. In Washington, a change to a tangible personal property memorandum may be handwritten without any type of notarization, etc.

Too bad our OP's not IN Washington.

 

[FeldmanLaw]

I made note of that in my response. I was just providing him an example of how it is done in other states.

 

[realmike15]

I made note of that in my response. I was just providing him an example of how it is done in other states.

Zigner obviously has problems with reading comprehension.

 

[Zigner]

Zigner obviously has problems with reading comprehension.

Uh-huh

The fact of the matter is that people come here looking for advice that is applicable to THEIR state...period.

 

[latigo]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

I need to make some changes to my will. Can I make these changes in pen and ink on the existing will, initial the changes and have the changes initialed by a witness? Does the witness have to be the same person who witnessed the original will?

NO! Absolutely not! None of the above!

Once a will has been properly signed by the maker and witnessed in meeting all of the formalities required by applicable law, it cannot be materially altered in any fashion. Not by interlineation, strike outs, additions or subtractions. Not cursive or typed. Not by initialing, or the signatures of any person.

And it is true in Indiana as it is in every other state of the union.

Preserving the sanctity of an individual’s expressed written wishes for the disposition of his or her estate upon demise and insuring that those expressed wishes are carried out is one of the most cardinal principles of probate law.

Think about it. If what you contemplate doing were permitted, no last will and testament could escape the art of forgers and swindlers. Including yours.

 

[realmike15]

Uh-huh

The fact of the matter is that people come here looking for advice that is applicable to THEIR state...period.

Your track record speaks for itself. It's not the first time you've misread, misinterpreted, or misrepresented what was being said. That's fine if you can't admit it though... the proof is in your posting history. Unfortunately, you can't erase that