A codicil is a legal document that amends, supplements, or partially revokes an existing Will without replacing it entirely. It allows changes to be made without the time and cost of drafting a completely new Will.
What can a codicil change?
- Adding or removing a beneficiary
- Changing the amount of a specific gift
- Adding or changing the named executor
- Revoking a particular clause without affecting the rest of the Will
What are the formal requirements?
A codicil must be in writing, signed by the person who made the original Will, and witnessed by two independent people present at the same time. Without these formalities, the codicil is invalid.
What to do if a codicil is found
Both the original Will and any codicil must be submitted together to the Probate Registry. The estate is distributed in accordance with the Will as amended by the codicil. YouCanDoProbate captures codicil information in the platform walkthrough and includes it correctly in the completed PA1P.
