What is a codicil?
A codicil is a legal document that can be used to amend an existing will. A codicil is usually used when the testator, or the person making the will, has minor changes to make to their will. A codicil can only be used to make small changes to a will, and cannot be used to completely revoke a will. In California, the codicil must be signed and dated and must be witnessed and notarized the same way a will would. If a codicil is not properly executed, it might not be valid and therefore it would not be legally binding. The codicil must refer to the original will, and it needs to clearly state what changes are being made. A codicil does not have to follow the same legal guidelines as a will, but it must be consistent with the original will. It is important to note that any changes made in a codicil override any inconsistency with the original will. A codicil can be revoked by signing and executing a new codicil or by making a new will that revokes the old codicil.
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