Codicil

Also known as: Amendment to a will

In one sentence

A written amendment or addition to an existing will.

Plain English

A codicil is a formal document that changes, adds to, or clarifies parts of your will without requiring you to write an entirely new will. It must be signed and witnessed just like a will. Codicils are useful for small changes, such as updating a beneficiary's name, adding a new bequest, or appointing a different executor.

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Example

Five years after writing his will, David wanted to add his new grandchild as a beneficiary. Instead of rewriting the entire will, he executed a codicil that added the grandchild and left her $50,000.

Used in a sentence

“The testator executed a codicil to update the executor's name and add a charitable bequest.”

Related terms

Executor

The person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will.

Probate Estate

Property owned by a deceased person that passes through the court-supervised probate process.

Revocation

An offeror's withdrawal of an offer before it's accepted, ending the power to form a contract.

Holographic Will

A will written entirely in the testator's own handwriting without witnesses.

Testamentary Trust

A trust created within a will that takes effect after the person dies.

Probate

The court process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate.

Intestate Succession

The legal process of distributing a deceased person's property when they leave no valid will.

Elective Share

A surviving spouse's right to claim a portion of the deceased spouse's estate despite the will.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.