Can you handwrite changes to your will in Indiana?

I recently spoke with someone who was asking me about a family member who changed his will by striking through names identified in the will, and writing over the edits. This person wanted to know if its okay to make changes to a will by hand?

The answer to that question is absolutely, but you have to follow the requirements under the law. Scratching out some clauses and adding additional terms to a will on the original document won’t fly. However, you prepare a codicil and change the will. You need to meet the requirements under in Indiana, which require that you have your mind (testamentary capacity) and were not coerced. Additionally, you need two witnesses to witness the signing of the codicil and they need to attest that you had your mind, knew what you were doing, and were not under duress or coercion.