It is tempting to grab a pen and update your will yourself. Maybe you want to change a beneficiary, adjust a dollar amount, or add a new provision. It feels quick and easy. But handwritten changes to a formally executed will can create legal problems that far outweigh the convenience. A simple markup could leave a family member fighting in court over what you actually meant.
How Arizona Law Treats Will Modifications
Arizona follows the Uniform Probate Code, which sets specific rules for how wills can be changed and revoked. Under A.R.S. 14-2507, a will or any part of a will can be revoked by a later will that cancels the previous one, or by being burned, torn, canceled, obliterated, or destroyed with the intent to revoke.
If you cross out a paragraph, write "void" next to a provision, or scratch out a beneficiary's name, a court may treat that as a partial revocation. The key question is intent. Did you mean to revoke that specific provision? Did you mean to replace it with something else? If the answer is not clear, the result can be a lawsuit among your heirs about what the will actually says.
What Handwritten Changes Can and Cannot Do
Arizona does recognize holographic wills. These are wills written entirely in the testator's handwriting. Under A.R.S. 14-2502, a holographic will is valid if the material portions are in the testator's handwriting and the document is signed.
But a handwritten note added to a typed will is not a holographic will. It is called an interlineation. It does not meet the legal requirements for either a formal will or a holographic one.
Handwritten changes on a typed will sit in an awkward middle ground. They are not properly executed codicils. They are not holographic wills. And they may or may not be treated as partial revocations depending on the circumstances. That uncertainty is what creates conflict for your family.
The Right Way to Change Your Will
If you want to make a small change, the proper method is a codicil. A codicil is a formal amendment to your will. It must be executed with the same formalities as the original: signed by you, witnessed by two people, and ideally notarized with a self-proving affidavit. The codicil references your existing will and spells out exactly what is being changed.
For bigger changes, a full restatement of the will is usually better. A restated will replaces the old one entirely. This removes confusion about which provisions are still in effect.
Either option protects your wishes and keeps every family member on the same page. The cost of a codicil or restatement is small compared to the cost of a will contest.
When Informal Changes Lead to Disputes
Consider what happens when a parent crosses out one child's name and writes in another. Was it a moment of frustration? A genuine change of heart? Was the parent under pressure from a family member? Without witnesses and proper execution, there is no way to confirm what happened or why.
These questions end up in front of a judge. Probate litigation is expensive, slow, and emotionally draining for everyone involved. A five-minute pen markup can lead to months of legal fees and permanent damage to family relationships.
Protect What You Have Already Built
Your will is a legal document that took time and thought to create. Making informal changes with a pen puts that work at risk. Even well-intentioned markups can trigger disputes, create ambiguity, or accidentally revoke provisions you wanted to keep. If something needs updating, a codicil or restated will is a small investment that protects everything you have already put in place.