Abstract: An attic ladder modification kit, a method of modifying an attic ladder using the kit, an attic ladder, and a method of using the attic ladder. The attic ladder modification kit includes a plurality of components for installation onto the attic ladder to improve the safety and ease of use of the attic ladder through modification, either during construction of the attic ladder, or as an after-market addition to the attic ladder. The plurality of components includes a pair of springs to bias a hinged connection between a middle section and an upper section of the attic ladder, means to removably secure a lower section hingedly connected to the middle section of the attic ladder, and a rope and pulley system and a descent rope to facilitate raising and lowering the attic ladder into and out of an attic opening, respectively.