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Wills, trusts, and estates

codicil

A codicil is a supplement to a previous will that adds to, modifies, amends, or revokes one or more provisions of the earlier will. Laws regarding codicils vary from state to state and in some states a codicil may not replace an earlier will—but in some states it may.

In Florida, a codicil is a legal instrument that is used to make changes to an existing will. It can add to, modify, amend, or revoke provisions of the will without the need to draft a new will entirely. However, for a codicil to be valid in Florida, it must comply with the same formalities as required for the original will. This means that the codicil must be in writing, signed by the testator (the person making the will) in the presence of two witnesses, and the witnesses must also sign the codicil in the presence of the testator and each other. While a codicil can make specific changes to the will, it does not replace the original will. Instead, it is read in conjunction with the will and is considered part of the will's terms. If there are any conflicts between the codicil and the original will, the provisions in the codicil will typically prevail, provided the codicil has been properly executed according to Florida law.

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Understanding Codicils: An Essential Guide to Amending Your Will

In the world of wills and estate planning, there's a savvy solution to avoid this hassle, and it's called a codicil. A codicil is like a legal 'P.S.' to your will. It allows you to make specific changes or additions without needing a full rewrite.

Florida State Code

Wills, trusts, and estates