What Is a Codicil?

What is a codicil?

A codicil is a legal document that amends an existing will without replacing it entirely. Think of it as an addendum — it changes specific parts of your will while leaving the rest intact.

Like a will, a codicil must be signed and witnessed by two people to be legally valid. The witnessing rules are exactly the same as for a will itself.

When might you use a codicil?

A codicil can be useful for minor changes, such as:

• Changing an executor (because they've died or you've fallen out)
• Updating a beneficiary's name (after a marriage, for example)
• Adding a small specific gift
• Adjusting a minor detail

When is a new will better?

For anything more than a simple tweak, it's usually better to write a new will. This is because:

• Multiple codicils create confusion — it's harder for executors to piece together your wishes from several documents
• Codicils can contradict the original will — leading to ambiguity and potential disputes
• Modern wills are easy to rewrite — with online will-writing services, creating a fresh will is quick and affordable
• Security risk — a codicil can be separated from the original will, causing problems

As a general rule: if you're making more than one or two small changes, write a new will. It's cleaner, clearer, and reduces the risk of mistakes.

How to make a codicil

If you do decide a codicil is appropriate:

1. Write the codicil — clearly reference the original will by date and state exactly what is being changed
2. Sign the codicil in the presence of two witnesses
3. Witnesses sign — following the same rules as for a will (they cannot be beneficiaries)
4. Store it with your will — the codicil is meaningless without the original document

Does a codicil revoke the original will?

No. A codicil modifies the will — it doesn't replace it. Your original will remains valid except for the specific provisions changed by the codicil.

However, if a codicil contradicts the will on a particular point, the codicil takes precedence (since it's the later document).

How many codicils can you have?

There's no legal limit, but practically speaking, more than one or two codicils is a bad idea. Each additional codicil increases the risk of confusion, contradiction, and lost documents.

The modern approach

Historically, codicils were common because rewriting a will meant starting from scratch with a solicitor — which was expensive and time-consuming. Today, with online will-writing services, updating your entire will is just as easy as writing a codicil, and the result is much cleaner.

If you need to make changes to your will, consider whether a fresh will might be the better option. It usually is.