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Codicil to Will

If you would like to make changes to your Last Will and Testament, a Codicil can help. Very simply, a Codicil is an addendum to your existing Will, which allows you to update, add, or remove provisions as needed.

With Rocket Lawyer, you can easily make a Codicil for free. The Codicil should be dated, reference back to your original Will, and specify which sections of your Will are being changed. To be considered a legal change, a Codicil typically has to be witnessed by at least two disinterested parties—people who are not beneficiaries of the original will or beneficiaries of the Codicil.

You are not required to limit yourself to a single Codicil, however if you have made multiple changes over time, it may be worth considering consolidating your Codicils and creating a new Will. It can be helpful to have your document reviewed by an estate planning lawyer to ensure that it contains the appropriate details.

There are no legal restrictions to what may be included in a Codicil to a Will. Some of the items which often involve Codicils include changes to executors, assigning an additional executor to be responsible for your social media and other online accounts, modifications to specific assets which you have bequeathed to other parties, or specifying who should take care of your pets upon your death.

In some instances, when marital situations change, a Codicil is used to add a new beneficiary to your will, including a child or a new spouse. Some people have used a Codicil to change beneficiary designations, as well. You can use a Codicil for any legal purpose to make changes to your Will at any time you feel is appropriate or necessary.

You do not need to have a Will modified through an attorney. With Rocket Lawyer, you can make a Codicil to your Will for free by answering a few simple questions. You can easily download your Codicil, or ask a lawyer to take a look at it before you and your witnesses sign it.

Before you get started, make sure you have the following:

• Access to a copy of your existing Will
• What provisions you plan to modify
• The legal names of the witnesses

Your Codicil should be attached to your Last Will and Testament once signed by your witnesses.

An estate planning lawyer can easily cost $200-$400 per hour. Fortunately, with Rocket Lawyer, you can make a Codicil to your Will for free. As a Rocket Lawyer Premium member, you can copy your Codicil, download it in PDF or Word format, and print it anytime. You can also use your Rocket Lawyer membership to have your entire estate plan reviewed by an experienced On Call attorney.

If you have questions about changing your Will, ask a lawyer.