What is the difference between a will and a codicil?

A will is a legal document whereby a person, also known as the testator, expresses how they want their assets to be divided after death. A codicil is an addition or amendment to an existing will. Both a will and codicil are important documents in Pennsylvania, as they both ensure that the wishes of the testator are followed after death. A will must be written, signed, and witnessed in order to be legally binding. A codicil must also be written, signed, and witnessed, however, it does not have to be as comprehensive as a will. The main difference between a will and a codicil is that a will outlines all of the assets of the testator while a codicil is merely an addendum or addition to the existing will. A codicil can be used to change a specific detail in the will, such as the beneficiaries, without having to write a whole new document. Therefore, any changes to a will must be documented in a codicil. A codicil must also be signed and witnessed just like a will, and it must be attached to the original copy of the will. In Pennsylvania, a codicil is legally binding as long as it is executed properly and meets the state’s other requirements.

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What is the difference between a will and a codicil?

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