What is a codicil?
A codicil is a legal document that allows an individual to make changes to an existing will without having to rewrite the entire will. It is a way of modifying or adding to the stipulations of a will after it has been signed, and witnessed. Codicils are especially helpful if an individual experiences a change in circumstances which necessitates amending the will. In Florida, codicils must still be signed in front of two witnesses in order to be legally valid. These witnesses must be unrelated to the individual signing the codicil and must be over the age of 18. Additionally, they must both be present when the document is signed. In some cases, an individual may create a codicil in order to make changes to the executor of a will or the beneficiaries of an estate. For example, when an individual has a new child or experiences the death of someone they had left something to in a prior will, they may create a codicil to make the appropriate adjustments. In other cases, a codicil might be used to change a minor detail of the will, such as the address of a bequest. Ultimately, the codicil must still adhere to all the requirements of a valid will in order to be used in court.
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