Heritage Elder Law and Estate Planning offers appointments in-person at one of our six offices, virtually or over-the-phone for the convenience of our clients.

Please mail all information to our Butler address.

Heritage Tree LogoHow to Update My Will in Pennsylvania

Contact Us Educational Events
Posted on by Accel Admin
elder planning estate

If you would like to update or make changes to your will, you have options. Read on to learn more and give our firm a call today to speak with a dedicated and experienced Butler County will preparation attorney. Our legal team is here to help you each step of the way.

What is the best way to update my will?

There are several beneficial ways to update your will. In instances where you only have a few small changes to make, creating a codicil is a practical option. A codicil is like a legal “P.S.” to your will. To make a codicil, you write down what you want to remove or add to your existing will, sign it, have two witnesses sign it (as you did with your original will), and then keep it with your will. After your death, your two documents will be read and analyzed together. You can have a lawyer write your codicil for you, or you can make one on your own.

Although, most of the time, it makes more sense just to create a new will altogether. Withdrawing the old will and making a new one will decrease the possibility of any confusion that could come from having an add-on to your will. (With a new will, there will be no extra sheets to be lost or misinterpreted.) With the aid of an experienced estate planning attorney, a new will can be crafted with ease. If you are unsure about whether you should start a new will from scratch or add a codicil to your original one, give our firm a call today. Our legal team will be able to steer you in the right direction.

What makes a will valid?

In the state of Pennsylvania, a valid will must be signed. Unlike in other states, Pennsylvania does not need a witness to your will unless you are unable to sign the will on your own. Reach out to our firm today if you have any questions about a valid will.

Do I need to retain the services of an attorney to properly write my will?

While the simple answer is no, the more practical and realistic answer is yes. This is because it is essential to have an attorney to help you write your will to ensure it is enforceable and that your wishes are clearly stated. Although there are free templates that can be used online, anyone with knowledge regarding estate law will recommend you hire an experienced attorney to help you draft your will.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA FIRM

Whether you are dealing with matters involving estate planning, estate administration, or elder law, you need a legal team you can feel confident will represent your best interests, every step of the way. We are that legal team. Contact Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning today so we can get started.

Estate Planning & Probate

Whether you’re looking to secure your family’s future, protect a loved one’s assets or provide a loved one with the financial assistance he or she needs to afford long-term care, we are committed to serving your needs. We consistently offer creative and effective solutions to your most complex and sensitive estate planning needs and help your wishes come to fruition through our probate service.

Learn More

Elder Law, Medicaid Planning & Asset Protection

Everybody’s life is full of both expected and unexpected challenges. With our experience with elder law issues, we can help you enjoy the later years and retain full control over decisions that directly impact you. The attorneys at Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning view every challenge as an opportunity. We can help you or your loved one today.

Read Our Recent Blog Posts