Codicil to Will
A codicil to a will is a supplementary legal document that formally amends, adds to, or revokes specific provisions of an existing will without requiring the entire will to be rewritten. Use this when someone's existing will is otherwise still accurate but needs a small, defined change — updating an executor, adjusting a specific gift, or removing an outdated provision — and a full new will is not necessary. A codicil generally must be signed and witnessed with the same formalities required for a will in the relevant state, so confirm and complete those requirements before relying on it, and keep this document together with the original will it amends.
What's included
A ready-to-use codicil to will with signature fields already placed for Testator and Witness. Fill in the bracketed details (like [Company Name] or [Date]) using Docracy's built-in text editor, then send it out for signature.
This is a general template for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to review it for your specific situation and jurisdiction before use.
Key clauses
- Reference to and identification of the original will being amended
- Statement of testamentary capacity and intent
- Specific provision(s) being changed, added, or revoked
- Confirmation that all other provisions of the original will remain in effect
- Execution and witnessing clause
What you'll fill in
[Testator's Full Name][Date of Original Will][Effective Date of Codicil][Provision Number/Section Being Amended][Revised Language or New Provision][Executor Name][Witness Name(s)]Legal summary
Signing a codicil legally changes one or more specific parts of an existing will while leaving the rest of that will in force, avoiding the need to draft a full replacement. For the change to be recognized, the codicil generally must be executed with the same formalities, such as signing and witnessing, required for a valid will in the relevant place, and it should be stored together with the original will. It creates no obligations on its own; it only takes effect as part of the estate plan when the testator later passes away.
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.
FAQ
Is this Codicil to Will legally binding?
Signing through Docracy uses a simple electronic signature (SES), which is legally recognized for everyday business agreements under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation. This is a general template, not legal advice — for high-stakes or regulated agreements, have a qualified attorney review it for your situation.
Who needs to sign this Codicil to Will?
This template includes signature fields for Testator and Witness — already placed, so you just fill in the details and send.
Can I edit this Codicil to Will before sending it?
Yes — Docracy's editor lets you edit the text, add or remove signature fields, redact sections, and reorder pages before you send it.
Do I need an account to send this Codicil to Will?
No — it's free for up to 2 signers with no account required. Create a free account only if you want to save it to a dashboard or reuse it later.
Try it with an AI assistant
Paste one of these into ChatGPT, Claude, or your assistant of choice:
“Explain what a codicil to a will can and cannot change.”
“When should I use a codicil instead of writing a brand-new will?”
“Help me draft the language for a codicil that changes my named executor.”
Why teams start with Docracy
“Docracy is a great product that I have tested and am using. It is easy to use, has good tools, is always up to date, and implements new features. Highly recommended.”— DACH Advisory
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.