• I would like advice on end-of-life planning or inheritance in the area around Yaizu, Yoshida-cho, Makinohara, Fujieda, and Omaezaki
• I noticed afterwards that I had written an amount incorrectly
• I want to fix only a part of it, but I do not know how to fix it
• I corrected it, but I am worried whether it is legally valid

Are you facing any of these issues in Yaizu, Makinohara, Omaezaki, Fujieda, Shimada, Yoshida Town, or other nearby areas?
At Yaizu Sogo Law Office, we offer a free first-time legal consultation on inheritance and estate matters. Consulting us once does not obligate you to retain us. We are also available on weekday evenings and on Saturdays. Please feel free to contact us by phone or email.

How to Amend a Handwritten Will

When there is a clerical error in the content of a handwritten will (Article 968 of the Civil Code) prepared previously and a change is to be made, the method of the addition, deletion and other changes is prescribed in Article 968, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Code as set forth below, and this must be followed.

as follows:

"An addition, deletion or other change in a self-written will (including the inventory under the preceding paragraph) does not take effect unless the testator indicates the place of the change, adds a note stating that the change has been made, specially signs the change, and affixes a seal at the place of the change."

In summary, to make a change validly, it is necessary:

• ① to indicate the place of the change, etc.;
• ② to add a note stating that the change has been made; and
• ③ to sign and affix a seal at the place of the change.

Specific Correction Procedure (A Practical Example)

The practical steps for making a valid correction are as follows.

• ① Draw a double line through the erroneous part
• ② Write the details of the change in the margin, such as "X characters deleted, Y characters added"
• ③ Sign with your full name next to it
• ④ Affix a correction seal near the corrected part

If even one of these four points is missing, the correction may become invalid.

Legal Risks of Using an Incorrect Correction Method

If the correction method is wrong, the following serious risks arise.

• Not only the corrected part but the credibility of the entire will is called into question
• Heirs may claim that the will has been "forged or altered"
• The matter may develop into litigation in court
• As a result, the statutory succession applies in the end despite the existence of the will

In particular, when a core part of the will is corrected, such as an amount, real property or a beneficiary, the risk of a dispute becomes extremely high.

The Ministry of Justice's Example of Correction

The Ministry of Justice's website also shows a concrete example of how to correct a handwritten will, so please take a look. (https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001279214.pdf)

Even if you think you have written it exactly as shown in the illustration, there are cases where a slight difference in the position of the signature, the position of the correction seal, or the way the change is written leads to the will being judged invalid. Writing it "as shown in the illustration" does not necessarily mean it is safe.

When There Are Many Changes, "Rewriting from Scratch" Is the Rule

When there are many places to change, or when the change concerns an important part of the dispositive provisions of the handwritten will, it is overwhelmingly safer, in order to avoid later disputes, to prepare a new will from scratch.

• Important parts such as amounts, real property, heirs and beneficiaries
• Corrections in multiple places
• Cases where further changes may be needed in the future

If any of these applies, "rewriting the entire text" plus "preparing a notarized will" is strongly recommended instead of "correcting" it.

Summary

When changing a handwritten will, if all of the strict formalities of Article 968, Paragraph 3 of the Civil Code are not observed, the change is completely invalid.

A careless correction carries the serious risk of developing into litigation, such as invalidity of the will or disputes over legally reserved portions.

A will is a legal document that is safe only when written correctly, not simply because it has been written.

Since even a single correction can determine whether the will is effective, involvement of a professional is extremely important.

If you are in the area of Yaizu, Yoshida-cho, Makinohara, Fujieda or Omaezaki and are wondering, "Is this correction valid?" or "I cannot decide whether rewriting would be better," please be sure to consult the Yaizu Sogo Law Office before making corrections or rewriting.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Your Inheritance Concerns, Consult Yaizu Sogo Law Office

Yaizu Sogo Law Office handles a wide range of inheritance-related matters, including the drafting and execution of wills, renunciation of inheritance, division of estate, and claims for reduction of the statutory reserved share (iryubun).

Inheritance disputes are so notorious for the intense emotional conflict they stir up among heirs — hence their nickname, the "inheritance war" — that disputes can drag on for a long time. This is why consulting a lawyer offers significant benefits.

If you are facing an inheritance issue, please feel free to consult us. The first consultation on inheritance matters is free of charge.

At Yaizu Sogo Law Office, consultations are available not only during weekday daytime hours but also on weekday evenings and on Saturdays. Please call or email us first to make an appointment for a legal consultation.

Are You Troubled by an Inheritance Issue?

• Creating a Will for End-of-Life Planning
• Disputes over How to Divide an Estate (Estate Division)
• Claiming Your Reserved Share of an Estate (Claim for Infringement of Legally Reserved Portion)
• A Family Member Passed Away Leaving Debts Behind (Renunciation of Inheritance)
• Dissatisfied with the Contents of a Will
• Dividing an Inheritance
• What You Need to Know About Filing for Custody of a Holographic Will
• Wills That Bequeath Property Exceeding the Statutory Share of Inheritance to a Specific Heir
• Finding Out Which Court Handles Inheritance Division Mediation
• About the Process of Creating a Notarized Will
• I found a will, but is it all right to open it? (Inspection of a will)
• The Validity of a Will When the Intended Recipient (Legatee) Dies First
• I want to know about the cost of preparing a notarized will
• Can an Estate Division Different from the Will Be Made?
• I want to know what can be specified in a will
• Requirements for a Self-Written Will (Holographic Will)
• I want to correct an error in a handwritten will I made previously
• About the Executor of a Will
• How Life Insurance Proceeds Are Treated in an Inheritance Division Agreement Where the Beneficiary Is Designated as an Heir
• If I renounce my inheritance, who will manage the family grave?
• Want the State to take over inherited land (the Inherited Land National Attribution System)
• Do You Inherit Debts Even After Years of No Contact with Your Parents?

See all articles on inheritance