Codicil To Change Executor

This Codicil to Change an Executor of a will is a version of our standard codicil template which has been pre-completed for you. It specifically covers changing an executor to a will.

A codicil is a legal document and provides an easy way to change a will. It is ideal for making simple changes to a will.

Once you have downloaded and completed the codicil, keep it with the original will.

One of our best-selling templates, now with over 500 sold!

The executor is a person that is appointed to manage the estate of a deceased person after their death. It is a very important appointment. Use our template codicil to change your existing executor(s).

Change an Executor of a Will

Use this codicil template to change an executor to your Will. You can add or remove an executor using this form of template.

Using our template, you can easily create a legally valid and binding document, without the need to pay expensive solicitors.

This template has been carefully drafted for you by David, our co-founding solicitor. So you get a document that you can rely on to save you time and money, enabling you to complete this simple legal matter yourself.

If you need to make other changes to your Will using a Codicil, then please have a look at our other codicil templates:

• General Codicil – a general all-purpose codicil for use when you need to make other changes to your Will; or
• Codicil to leave a gift to a charity – a codicil specifically for that purpose.

Using our Codicil to Change Executor Template

The template should only be used for changing executors of a will before death.

The Word template download of our Codicil to Change Executor comes with full guidance notes. It is like filling in a form and takes most people less than ten minutes to read and complete. It really is that simple.

We get a lot of people saying to us ‘I want to change the executor of my will’. This template does just that.

The template can be used for any Will that has already been created in the UK (it is suitable for use in Scotland, as well as in England & Wales). Also perfect for adding an executor to a will. It is also great to use to change executor.

Once purchased, you can download the template in Word and then complete it on your computer before you print it.

Signing

Once printed, you will need to sign the Codicil in the presence of two other people, who must then add their signatures to the Codicil.

Do not get a person who is a beneficiary under the Will (or Codicil) to witness your signing the final document. They must be independent witnesses. The guide that comes with the codicil explains all of this is more detail, so simply follow the guide carefully.

When you have signed your Codicil to Change an Executor, we would suggest that you:

• keep the original of the codicil with your latest Will; and
• let your loved ones know where you have stored both of them.

For a preview of the guide that accompanies the general codicil template, please click here and then scroll down that page. Check out Wikipedia’s take on what an executor of a will is.

Changing Executor Made Simple

Our aim is to make it as easy as possible to do basic legal matters, without the need to incur the cost of hiring a lawyer.

As practising solicitors ourselves, we know that the cost of hiring a lawyer is expensive. That’s why we create document templates for you, like this codicil to change an executor of a will.

Frequently asked questions related to Changing an Executor to a Will

How do I change the executor of a will?

To change an executor of a will you have two options:

1. Create a new will.
2. Use a Codicil to change the Will.

A Codicil is ideal when you are making a simple change to an existing will, such as changing an executor.

Can you add another executor?

Yes you can add another executor. There is no limit on how many executors you can appoint under your Will or by codicil. It is very common for people to add two or three executors to their will. This is preferable incase one of the executors is unable to act. For example due to the executor’s health at the time.

Can you change an executor with a codicil? Can I use a codicil to change executor?

Yes, if you just want to make one or two simple changes to your Will, like changing executors, then a codicil is the simplest way to do that.

What is the process for changing an executor to a Will?

The simplest way to change an executor to a will is by using a Codicil o change the executor. A Codicil is a legal document that enables you to make changes to a Will. We recommend using a codicil where the change is minor. For example changing the executor or executors.

Do I need a new will to change executor?

No, you can use a codicil to adjust a few simple things in the Will, such as changing executors. If you want to make a lot of other changes, then consider making a fresh Will.

Do I need a solicitor to write or add a codicil to my will?

No, and using Legalo’s Codicil to Change an Executor template is the easy way to do it, and save money at the same time. For every template Legalo offers, you do not need a solicitor to do that work. Legalo’s goal is to enable you to carry out many fairly simple legal matters yourself and to save money on legal fees as a result.

Can beneficiaries change executors?

No, beneficiaries cannot make changes to the executor of a will whilst the person who made the Will is still alive. Once a person has died, the executor of the estate to which the will relates can be changed. However, this can only be done if the executor ‘renounces’ their appointment, or if a court grants an order requiring the removal of an executor.

Can I use a codicil to add or remove beneficiaries as well?

Yes, you can use a codicil to add or remove beneficiaries in your will. This can be done at the same time as changing the executor to the will.

Can an executor nominate another executor?

Not while the person who made the Will is still alive.

What are the legal requirements for a codicil?

The legal requirements are about how you validly sign the codicil. We have set out how to do that above, under the heading “Signing”. We have also explained it in the guide that comes with the template.

Other Questions About Codicils

We answer several other more-general questions about codicils on our page about our general Codicil template. Just click on this link if you would like to read more.

Additional Resources Related to Changing an Executor and Estate Planning

For further reading on changing an executor, we recommend this guide from The Legal Gazette on removing an executor to a will.

For further information on Wills and estate planning generally, see this Age UK guide.