What Is a Codicil? How to Update Your Will Without Starting Over

When life changes, your will should too. But that doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch.

Take Andrea, for example. When she first came into our office, she carried an old binder with her original will inside — a will she wrote 15 years ago when her children were still in school. Now, one son was married, another lived in California, and she’d just bought a cozy Cape Cod cottage that she wanted to leave to her grandchildren.

She sighed and said, “I don’t want to go through writing a whole new will. Can’t I make a few updates?”

And we told her: That’s precisely where a codicil comes in.

So she asked, half laughing, “What the heck is a codicil — and how much will that be? I already paid for my will!”

We smiled and told her not to worry — she didn’t need to start from zero.

Life changes, and so did Andrea’s story. A quick codicil helped her keep her will up to date without starting over.

So, What Is a Codicil Exactly?

We explained to Andrea that a codicil is a short legal document that lets you make changes or additions to your existing will — without rewriting the entire thing.

Think of it as a mini update to your will. Everything else stays the same, except for the parts you want to change.

For example, you can use a codicil to:

✅ Add or remove a beneficiary

✅ Change your executor

✅ Update asset details, like a new property or bank account

✅ Modify a gift or leave something new for someone special.

When we finished explaining, Andrea said,

“So, it’s like editing my will without deleting it?”

Exactly.

When a Codicil Makes Sense

We told Andrea that many people choose to use a codicil when:

• They’ve gotten married or divorced

• They’ve had a new child or grandchild

• They’ve moved to another state

• They’ve bought or sold property

• They need to correct a detail (like a name or address)

• 
  

But we also explained an important point — if you’re making major changes, it’s safer to draft a new will altogether. Too many codicils can cause confusion later, especially in probate court.

Her changes were simple: update her executor and add her new cottage.

Perfect for a codicil.

How We Helped Andrea Update Her Will

Here’s how the process looked for her:

1. We reviewed her original will. We carefully read through it to pinpoint exactly what needed to change — and what should stay the same.

   
   

2. We drafted her codicil. It clearly stated the updates, referenced her existing will, and confirmed that all other provisions remained valid.

   
   

3. She signed it properly. Just like a will, a codicil in Massachusetts must be signed and witnessed by two people. We made sure it met every legal requirement.

   
   

4. We stored both documents together. The client kept her new codicil attached to her original will, with copies securely filed and her executor informed.

   
   

When it was all done, she smiled and said, “That was way easier than I thought.”

A Quick Word of Caution

Some people try to handwrite a note or cross out sections of their will, thinking it’ll “count” as an update — but it usually doesn’t.

If a codicil isn’t properly drafted and witnessed, it can:

⚠️ Create confusion in court.

⚠️ Delay your estate’s distribution.

⚠️ Even make parts of your will invalid.

That’s why professional guidance matters.

At Murray Law Firm, we help clients across Massachusetts make smooth, legally sound updates, whether that means adding a codicil or writing a new will altogether.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and includes a general example to help explain legal concepts. It should not be taken as legal advice, and any resemblance to real individuals or events is coincidental.

For illustration purposes only. This story is a simplified example used to explain how codicils work in everyday life.