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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 Utah, 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 legal requirements that apply to the creation of a will in Utah. This means that the person making the codicil (the testator) must have the legal capacity to do so, the codicil must be in writing, and it must be signed by the testator and witnessed by at least two individuals who are present at the same time and who are not beneficiaries. A codicil that meets these requirements can effectively change the terms of the will to which it refers. It is important to note that while a codicil can modify an existing will, it does not replace the original will; it merely serves as an addition or amendment to the will's existing terms.

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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.

Utah State Code

Wills, trusts, and estates