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Need help with a Codicil?
A codicil is your answer to a rapid, cost-effective change to your final wishes. Rather than rewrite your entire will, you can attach signed, notarized codicils that communicate your intent to the court, personal representative, and family members.
The laws surrounding codicils vary according to the laws of your state. Ensure that your codicils are compliant so that your survivors do not have to handle an additional dispute in the wake of your death. They will have enough on their plate at that time.
Instead of leaving your will unmaintained, use codicils to make changes. Everything you need to know about codicils is described in the article below.
What is a Codicil?
Codicils are addendums to your last will and testament. They allow you to amend specific provisions while leaving the main purpose of the document in place. For instance, if you want to name another heir, you may want to codicil your will.
People who have a will in place, also known as testators, generally amend them for the following reasons:
- Bequeathments are no longer available
- Changes regarding bequeathment airs
- Adding a new estate plan beneficiary
- Removing heirs that have died
- Increasing cash gift values to adjust for inflation
You need to rewrite your will if you anticipate significant changes to the structure or intent of the document. Your estate planning lawyers can help you determine which approach is best for your situation. If you do not need to rewrite your will, they will not recommend you do so.
Here’s an article about codicils.
Purpose of a Codicil
The purpose of a codicil allows testators to make changes to their living wills , living trust , and more without having to change the main provisions. Consequentially, legally protected individuals leverage the power of a codicil to help them effectively manage their estate plans.
Benefits of a codicil include:
- Ease of application
- Flexibility
- Make changes quickly
- Legally compliant
- Denotes a maintained estate
- Creates a paper trail
All legal documents, like codicils, are designed with a specific purpose in mind. Your codicil’s main function is to change your will without having to do a rewrite. It is a simple option that provides numerous benefits when used correctly.
This article also discusses codicils.
How Codicil’s Work
Due to their relative ease, codicils are a popular option when updating a will. Instead of redrafting your entire estate plan, you can utilize codicils to make smaller, incremental changes. Codicils are generally cheaper than the former option as well.
Here’s how the process of using a codicil works:
- Step 1 . Determine which provisions you would like to change
- Step 2 . Write down the changes you would like to make
- Step 3 . Meet with estate planning attorneys
- Step 4 . Review their proposed codicil to your will
- Step 5 . Accept the changes by signing and dating the document
- Step 6 . Keep it in a safe location with your other estate planning documents
- Step 7 . Take all legal documents with you when you make changes
Depending upon where you live, you may need to enlist the help of two (2) signature witnesses. Some law firms can handle this aspect for you as well as arrange for a public notary, but testators generally prefer to use witnesses with whom they are familiar. It is sometimes a matter of legal personal preference or convenience.
Learn more about codicils here .
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When Does a Codicil Make Sense?
A codicil makes sense when it is easier to codicil your will rather than create a new one. Generally, the first will that a person draft is not going to be their last since financial and legal situations change over time. Codicils give you the option to change your living will or last will and testament without going through the painstaking effort you took initially.
Reasons to codicil your will include:
- Reason 1 . Naming new heirs
- Reason 2 . Bequeathing new property
- Reason 3 . Changes that don’t conflict with the original document
- Reason 4 . Correcting erroneous information
- Reason 5 . Add a new section
Reasons to not codicil your will include:
- Reason 1 . Disinheriting a family member
- Reason 2 . Adding a spouse or beneficiary
- Reason 3 . Too many existing codicils
- Reason 4 . Making a significant change to the entire will
- Reason 5 . Removing a section
The bottom line is that a codicil makes sense as long as it serves the legal intent of adding one. Time is essential when it comes to estate planning documents. Sometimes, a codicil works well when you need to make changes before a looming event.
Here’s another article about codicils.
Can I Write a Codicil Myself?
While you are allowed to write a codicil yourself, it’s better to work with an estate planning lawyer. They will ensure that you do not make legal mistakes and that the codicil is compliant with the local, county, state, and federal laws. Estate planning lawyers can also help you determine if you need to make other changes to accomplish your legal objectives.
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Get Help with a Codicil
Get help with a codicil by hiring an estate planning attorney. While downloading a boilerplate template may seem like a cost-effective solution, there is nothing further from the truth. Online templates are recycled from other people’s wills and may contain provisions that are illegal in your area, thereby annulling the purpose of the codicil.
Benefits of Estate Planning Lawyers
Estate planning lawyers can play a helpful role in drafting your codicils. They essentially help you avoid making legal mistakes while creating a durable, enforceable document. Keep in mind that your codicil is only as strong as the language contained within, which means that you will want to get it right the first time around.
Consider the following benefits of hiring estate planning lawyers:
- Benefit 1. Update your document as necessary
- Benefit 2. Utilize legal documents such as a living trust to avoid probate
- Benefit 3. Guarantee that your documents are free from error
- Benefit 4. Ensures you communicate your intended purpose
- Benefit 5. Receive legal advice according to your specific situation
- Benefit 6. Personalized documents that serve an explicit goal
- Benefit 7. Works with your family in case they need probate or estate help
- Benefit 8. Represents you if a legal dispute arises
- Benefit 9. Looks out for your rights and interests throughout the process
As you can see, estate planning lawyers provide a premium service when it comes to your legal documents. When you hire a legal professional to draft your codicils, you will have reassurance in knowing that your family will not have to face any additional legal hurdle upon your passing. Your codicils are your opportunity to keep things current without wasting any time.
Cost of Estate Planning Lawyers
Codicils are fairly inexpensive to draft when compared to lengthier legal documents. However, the cost of creating a codicil ultimately depends upon the complexity of the addition. By design, a codicil is not meant to be complicated, which works out in your favor as a testator.
Who to Contact for Codicil Help
Estate planning attorneys add tremendous value to the process. Their services extend far beyond expectation in every situation. If you have questions about trust, will, or codicil, you should speak with a law firm to learn more about your options.
Meet some of our Codicil Lawyers
Mathew K.
Kerbis' practice includes business and real estate transactions, estate planning, and limited scope litigation consulting. Mathew has negotiated deals involving multinational corporate franchises and has collectively helped hundreds of clients with their transactional, civil litigation, and appellate legal needs. Throughout his tenure as an American Bar Association leader, Mathew has advocated for legal education reform, interviewed ABA Presidents and State Appellate and Supreme Court Justices, and lobbied Congress on behalf of the legal profession. As a law student, Mathew served as an extern for the Honorable Justice Robert E. Gordon of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District.
Tina R.
15 years for legal experience; expertise in contracts, healthcare, ERISA, physicians, financial services, commercial contracts, employment agreements, etc. I am adept at all contracts and can provide you with efficient and quality services. I have worked at a law firm, financial services company, consulting ,and non-profit.
Craig Y.
Craig E. Yaris is a partner at Parlatore Law Group, with the experience and drive to handle all your Franchise, General Business Practice, and Mediation needs. As a former small business owner and Chief Operating Officer of a franchisor himself, Mr. Yaris is passionate about promoting business growth. He has experience handling daily operations, employee disputes, and negotiations of pertinent contracts for a franchise company with 100 locations in five states, where he organized and conducted semi- annual meetings to educate and inform franchisees of best practices for improved growth. In addition, Mr. Yaris was responsible for the preparation and filing of the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) in several states and is well-versed in business formation. Between his time as Franchisor and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Mr. Yaris was the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of an online company whose goal was to help inform marketers and business owners of the fast-paced and ongoing changes within their specific verticals. This experience helped him hone his research and writing skills and prepared him for the cloud-based aspects of Parlatore Law Group. Mr. Yaris also has extensive experience in public speaking, as he has planned and delivered several keynote addresses and educational seminars for many New York-based organizations, and as a Continuing Education Instructor for Hofstra University. Prior to joining Parlatore Law Group, Mr. Yaris worked as a Patient Advocate, and more recently, a Conflict Resolution Specialist, where he mediated and resolved disputes on behalf of patients with insurance companies. In this role, he negotiated for coverage of previously denied medications and medical procedures as well as successfully mediated disputes between individuals and business partners which would have otherwise resulted in protracted litigation. In addition, he has experience mediating employer and employee disputes as well as helping resolve family conflict. He has also studied and attended many Non-Violent Communication (NVC) workshops and strives to bring these tools and methods to all of his mediations. His variety of experiences speak to his ability to handle small business needs at all stages of business growth and development. Mr. Yaris also has experience with business growth and development, as he has worked with several small business on creating and implementing strategies for steady growth. In addition, to spending time with family, Mr. Yaris volunteers his time helping spread the message of the ACLU and he supports many local charities focused on families and children. He is admitted to practice in New York.
February 7, 2022
Antoine D.
In his firm, Talented Tenth Law, Antoine focuses on helping people maximize their protection and prosperity in the courtroom and the boardroom. His firm’s services include representing people in lawsuits involving breach of contract, many types of civil lawsuits and helping business owners win government contracts among other things.
February 7, 2022
Tom L.
Tom is a former chief legal officer of public and private companies. He has extensive experience in mergers & acquisitions, commercial transactions, joint ventures, finance, securities laws and general corporate law across a broad range of industries, including construction, consumer products, e-commerce, energy and healthcare. As an attorney who practiced at two different Top 50 international law firms, he can deliver "Big Law" service at a competitive price. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Tom served as an officer in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Captain. He served a tour in Iraq where he led a reconnaissance platoon and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
February 9, 2022
Amy P.
Amy has served as outside general counsel and litigator to established businesses throughout western Washington since 2010. Her passion and focus is providing the best possible representation for clients in the construction, transportation and hospitality industries.
February 14, 2022
Jacob O.
I am bar certified in the lovely state of Missouri. I received my J.D. from The University of Iowa College of Law (2019) and my B.A. in Political Science from BYU-Idaho (2015).
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