Codicil to a will.

[patsyann]

Made our wills in the 60's and lodged them with a solicitor who drew them up.Years later we collected them as Solicitor closed the business and passed our wills on to another firm without informing us. We have held them ever since but wish to change our original executors.
We wish to add a codicil leaving everything to our two daughters after we have passed away can we also name them as executors? Our original will leaves everything to the surviving partner and then to the children so can we just write a codicil naming the changes after our two deaths and have it witnessed by two independent witnesses without going through a solicitor.? Any advice will be gratefully recieved.

[factor-fiction]

I'm pretty sure you can't do this via a codicil. A codicil is for minor changes. Changing executors and beneficiaries seems like a bigger change to me so i'm sure you'll need a new will.
Try the Age Concern website for more info

[bednobs]

depending on how old you are, cancer research will do changes to wills for free, with no pressure to leave them a legacy http://legacies.cancerresearchuk.org/legal_pro fs/freewill_service.asp?fs=1

[daffy654]

I was under the impression that a beneficiary in a will could not also be an executor of that will.

[patsyann]

Thank you all for replies. Will seek advice from age concern.

[factor-fiction]

A beneficiary can also be an executor (and vice verca)
I don't think a beneficiary can be a witness to the will signing though