Wills & Estate Planning
Changing a Will in Israel
Your Options
Adv. Liron Elmaliach explains the three valid methods for changing an Israeli will — a codicil, a new will, or formal revocation — and the formalities each requires. Free initial consultation.
Options for Changing a Will
Israeli law provides three valid routes to changing an existing will. Each requires exactly the same level of formality as the original document — there are no shortcuts.
Option 1 — Make a new will that expressly revokes the old one: This is the most common and most reliable approach. The new will includes an explicit revocation clause — declaring that all prior wills and codicils are cancelled — and then sets out your current wishes in full. This eliminates any risk of two conflicting documents co-existing and gives courts a single, authoritative statement of your intentions.
Option 2 — Make a codicil (תוספת לצוואה): A codicil is a separate legal document that amends specific provisions of your existing will without replacing the whole document. It is suitable for targeted, minor changes — for example, adding a new beneficiary or changing the executor. The codicil must satisfy the same formal requirements as the original will: two witnesses if typed, entirely handwritten if holographic.
Option 3 — Revoke the existing will and start fresh: You can formally revoke your current will in a separate signed document — either in front of two witnesses or in your own handwriting — and then prepare an entirely new will at your convenience. This approach is sometimes used when the changes needed are so extensive that a codicil would be unwieldy, but immediate revocation is urgent.
Each option requires the same formalities as the original will. Adv. Liron Elmaliach will advise you on which route is most appropriate given the type of changes you need to make.
What NOT to Do — Common Mistakes That Invalidate a Will
Many people attempt to update their will informally — by writing on the document itself, crossing out provisions, or adding instructions in the margin. Under Israeli law, none of these methods are valid, and all of them create serious risks.
- ✗Handwritten amendments to a typed will without witnesses — a typed will requires two witnesses to any amendment. Handwritten notes added to a typed will, even in your own handwriting, have no legal effect and may cast doubt on the integrity of the entire document.
- ✗Crossing out provisions — striking through a clause in a signed will does not revoke it. The original wording may still be enforceable, and the alteration may cause a court to question whether the entire will was tampered with.
- ✗Adding notes in the margin — marginal annotations are not legally valid amendments. They may confuse the document and give rise to disputes among beneficiaries after your death.
The safe rule
Never write on, cross out, or annotate a signed will. Any change — however small — must be made through a proper legal process: a formal codicil, a new will, or a revocation document. The importance of making a clean new document cannot be overstated: it is the single most effective way to prevent disputes and protect your beneficiaries.
If you are unsure whether your existing will still reflects your wishes, contact Adv. Liron Elmaliach for a will review. The initial consultation is free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions — Changing a Will in Israel
Common questions about amending, updating, and revoking Israeli wills
Change Your Will — Protect Your Wishes
Free Initial Consultation
Adv. Liron Yitzhak Elmaliach — Wills & Succession, Jerusalem