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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 Hawaii, 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, it must comply with the same formalities as required for the original will. This typically includes being in writing, signed by the testator (the person making the will), and witnessed by at least two individuals who are present at the same time and understand that the document is a codicil to a will. It's important to note that while a codicil can change certain aspects of a will, it does not replace the original will. Instead, it is read in conjunction with the will and is considered a part of the will's provisions. If there are contradictions between the original will and the codicil, the terms in the codicil will generally prevail as long as the codicil was executed last and in accordance with legal requirements.

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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.

Hawaii State Code

Wills, trusts, and estates