A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing will. It changes specific provisions while leaving the rest in place, and it must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as the will itself.

Should I use a codicil or make a new will?

For a single small change, a codicil can work. For multiple or significant changes — or after a major life event — a new will that revokes prior versions is cleaner and less error-prone.

Can I just handwrite a change on my will?

No. Writing on or altering a signed will does not validly change it and can void the affected gift or even the will. Use a properly executed codicil or a new will instead.

Does an online will make codicils unnecessary?

Largely, yes. With lifetime updates you can regenerate a fresh, consistent will whenever something changes, which avoids the confusion that stacked codicils can create.

What Is a Codicil? Amending Your Will the Right Way

A codicil is a separate legal document that changes part of an existing will without replacing it. Codicils were essential in the era of typewriters and retyping; today, with online wills that can be regenerated in minutes, they are far less necessary. This article explains what a codicil is, when it still makes sense, and why a fresh will is often the better choice. It is general information, not legal advice.

What exactly is a codicil?

A codicil is an amendment to a will. It refers to the original will, changes specific provisions (for example, swapping an executor or adjusting a gift), and leaves the rest of the will intact.

Crucially, a codicil must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as a will. A handwritten note added to your will, or an unsigned change, is not a valid codicil and can create confusion or invalidate the gift.

When does a codicil make sense?

A codicil suits a single, small, and clear change to an otherwise sound will — for example, changing one beneficiary's address, updating an executor, or adjusting one modest gift.

It was historically popular because retyping a whole will was costly. With modern tools that advantage has mostly disappeared, so codicils now occupy a narrow niche.

When should I make a new will instead?

For anything beyond a minor tweak — or more than one change at a time — a new will is cleaner. Multiple codicils stacked on a will become confusing and can contradict each other, inviting disputes.

A new will that revokes all prior wills and codicils leaves a single, coherent document. With an online service you can simply answer the questions again and produce a fresh, internally consistent will.

Multiple or substantial changes are needed.
A major life event (marriage, divorce, new child) has occurred.
The existing will is old or hard to follow.
You want one clean document rather than a will plus amendments.

How is a codicil signed and witnessed?

A codicil follows the same execution rules as a will in your jurisdiction — typically signed by you in the presence of two witnesses who then sign, with the usual caution that witnesses should not be beneficiaries.

Store the codicil with the original will. If a court cannot find the codicil, or it is unclear which document is current, your wishes may not be carried out.

Can a codicil revive or revoke parts of a will?

A codicil can revoke specific clauses, add new ones, or confirm the rest of the will. It can even, in some cases, revive a gift previously revoked — but this is technical and a common source of error.

Because the interaction between a will and its codicils can get complicated, anything more than a trivial change is usually safer as a new will.

How does iFinallyWill handle changes?

Because iFinallyWill includes lifetime updates, the simplest path for most changes is to update your answers and generate a fresh will that revokes the previous one — avoiding the confusion of stacked codicils.

That gives you one current, consistent document each time, signed under your jurisdiction's rules. For unusual or technical amendments, a lawyer can advise whether a codicil or a new will is best.

Frequently asked questions

What is a codicil?: A codicil is a formal amendment to an existing will. It changes specific provisions while leaving the rest in place, and it must be signed and witnessed with the same formality as the will itself.
Should I use a codicil or make a new will?: For a single small change, a codicil can work. For multiple or significant changes — or after a major life event — a new will that revokes prior versions is cleaner and less error-prone.
Can I just handwrite a change on my will?: No. Writing on or altering a signed will does not validly change it and can void the affected gift or even the will. Use a properly executed codicil or a new will instead.
Does an online will make codicils unnecessary?: Largely, yes. With lifetime updates you can regenerate a fresh, consistent will whenever something changes, which avoids the confusion that stacked codicils can create.