Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. A testator (the person writing the Will) can choose to amend or update their Will whenever they like, through the use of a codicil. If you don't want to replace the person, but want to give those assets to another beneficiary already listed, you might want to talk to an attorney about how to rework the language so your new will has that effect. The testator can also include a provision that specifically names the beneficiary he intends to disinherit. When you're satisfied with your draft, print it up for signing. Once the probate court declares the will to be valid, all beneficiaries are required to be notified within a certain period established by state law. Contact an estate planning attorney if you think this might be an issue. If you're married, you also should consider whether you want an individual or joint trust. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Changing their language may result in unintended consequences. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,034 times. Yes, a Beneficiary can be removed from a revocable Trust because a revocable Trust is a Living Trust and managed by the Trustor/Grantor during their lifetime. A testator may remove a beneficiary from a will by executing a new will and including a provision that unequivocally expresses the intent to revoke the prior will. You'll have to name a successor trustee to take over after you die. The testator can also include a provision that specifically names the beneficiary he intends to disinherit. Particularly if you had an attorney draw up your original will, they probably will be willing to offer you some advice on whether a trust would work for you. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Assuming this is your first one, you can simply title it "First Codicil to the Last Will and Testament of [your name].". Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. For example, if you have retirement or investment accounts that already allow you to designate a beneficiary, including those in your trust can cause potential confusion by adding unnecessary complication. Typically, anything that would go through probate is something you want to include in your trust – particularly if one of the main reasons you're creating a trust is to avoid probate. In the meantime, you may divorce and get remarried, have a new child, become estranged from a family member, or lose someone close to you. The trust instrument is the document which creates or sets out the terms of the trust. Can a Beneficiary be Removed from a Revocable Trust. Once you've signed your new will, do everything you can to destroy any existing copies of your old will, so there isn't any confusion. If you don't remember what you did when you signed your original will, look at the document itself. That means regardless of your current relationship status, and regardless of what your current will says, the asset will go to the person you named in the beneficiary designation whenever you … A joint or shared trust is probably a better idea if you and your spouse own a lot of property together. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Remove-a-Beneficiary-from-Your-Will-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Beneficiary-from-Your-Will-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Remove-a-Beneficiary-from-Your-Will-Step-1.jpg\/aid8118631-v4-728px-Remove-a-Beneficiary-from-Your-Will-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"