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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 New Hampshire, a codicil is recognized as a legal instrument that can be used to make changes to an existing will. According to New Hampshire statutes, specifically RSA 551:7, a codicil must be executed with the same formalities as a will, which means it must be in writing, signed by the testator (the person making the will), and witnessed by at least two individuals who must also sign the codicil in the presence of the testator. A codicil can add to, subtract from, modify, or revoke provisions of the will. However, it is important to note that a codicil that contradicts the terms of the original will does not necessarily replace the entire will but only those provisions that are specifically addressed in the codicil. If a person wishes to make substantial changes to their will, it may be advisable to create a new will to avoid any confusion or potential legal disputes that could arise from multiple conflicting documents.

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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.

New-Hampshire State Code

Wills, trusts, and estates