What is a codicil?

A codicil is a legal document that makes a small change or addition to an existing will without rewriting the whole thing. It's handy for minor updates, like changing an executor or adding a beneficiary. To be valid, it has to be signed and witnessed with the same formality as the original will. These days, with cheap word processing, many attorneys just redo the whole will rather than use a codicil to avoid confusion.