Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Codicil Form

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

CODICIL TO LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

TO

I, , of County, Pennsylvania, declare this as a Codicil to my Will dated . This Codicil amends or supplements my Will only as provided herein. Except as amended or supplemented, my Will shall remain in full force and effect.

[All Articles are examples only. Only type changes to be made to will or additions thereto]

ARTICLE I.

I devise and bequeath to my .

ARTICLE II.

I revoke the prior devise and bequest of to , my .

ARTICLE III

I have another child named, , and amend Article to add said child as an additional beneficiary of the trust specified therein.

ARTICLE V.

I amend my will to appoint , or if the appointee fails to qualify or cease to act, I appoint , as Trustee of the Trust provisions of this Will to serve in said capacity with all the powers during the administration of the Trust as are granted to Trustees under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania including the power to sell any of the real or personal property of the Trust for cash or on credit or to mortgage it or to lease it, all to be exercised without Court order.

ARTICLE VI.

In the event that my , , dies without having made just provision for the care and custody of our minor children, I appoint , as Guardian(s) of said minor children.

Page One Signed by Maker/Testator:

ARTICLE VII.

I amend my will to appoint , as executor/executrix/personal representative of my Will, or if the appointee fails to qualify or ceases to act, I appoint both to serve without bond, inventory, appraisal or accounting to any Court and to have all the powers during the administration of my estate as are granted to Trustees under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania or any other law including the power to sell any of my real or personal property at public auction or private sale, for cash or on credit, or to mortgage it or to lease it, all to be exercised without Court order.

I, , having signed this Codicil in the presence of and who attested it at my request on this the day of , 20 .

TESTATOR/TESTATRIX

The above and foregoing Codicil of was declared and attested by in our presence to be Codicil and was signed by the said in our presence and at request and in the presence of and in the presence of each other, we, the undersigned, witnessed and attested the due execution of the Codicil of on this the day of , 20 , and Further, that to the best of our knowledge the testator is 18 years of age or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence and that we, as witnesses, are not interested or an heir of the estate of .

WITNESS

ADDRESS:

WITNESS

ADDRESS:

PENNSYLVANIA SELF AUTHENTICATING AFFIDAVIT

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

County of

I, , the testator/testatrix whose name is signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, having been duly qualified according to law, do hereby acknowledge that I signed and executed the instrument as my Last Will; and that I signed it willingly and as my free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed.

Sworn to or affirmed and acknowledged before me by , the testator/testatrix, this day of , 20 .

Testator/Testatrix

Typed Name

Signature of officer or attorney

Seal and official capacity of officer or state of admission of attorney

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

County of

We, and , the witnesses whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, being duly qualified according to law, do depose and say that we were present and saw the testator/testatrix sign and execute the instrument as his or her Last Will; that the testator/testatrix signed willingly and executed it as his or her free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed; that each subscribing witness in the hearing and sight of the testator/testatrix signed the will as a witness; and that to the best of our knowledge the testator/testatrix was at that time 18 or more years of age, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.

Sworn to or affirmed and subscribed before me by and , witnesses, this day of , 20 .

Witness

Witness

Signature of officer or attorney

Seal and official capacity of officer or state of admission of attorney

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What a Codicil Form Is and when it’s used

A Codicil Form is a brief legal document that amends, explains, or revokes provisions of an existing last will and testament without replacing the entire will. It identifies the original will, specifies the precise change (addition, deletion, or clarification), and must be executed with the same formalities required for wills in the applicable jurisdiction. Because codicils affect testamentary intent, courts treat them as part of the decedent’s final estate plan; improper execution can lead to challenges at probate or unintended estate outcomes, so accuracy and proper witnessing are essential.

Why a Codicil might be preferable to drafting a new will

Use a codicil for limited, narrowly scoped changes when the original will remains accurate and current. Codicils avoid full redrafts, preserve existing clauses, and record a clear update without recreating executor or beneficiary provisions.

Why a Codicil might be preferable to drafting a new will

Who commonly prepares or signs a Codicil Form

Professionals and individuals use codicils when a minor or targeted change is needed without replacing an entire will.

  • Estate attorneys and paralegals who draft controlled amendments for clients and confirm local execution rules.
  • Testators (will makers) updating a beneficiary, executor, or specific bequest while keeping the original will intact.
  • Personal representatives and trustees who need written evidence of the testator’s final expressed changes for probate.

Work with counsel or a knowledgeable notary when formal execution or notarial acknowledgment is required to reduce probate risk.

Stepwise process to prepare and execute a Codicil

Follow these sequential steps to create a valid codicil and reduce the risk of probate challenges.

  • 01
    Draft: Draft the amendment text clearly and reference the original will.
  • 02
    Identify Will: Record the original will date and page/paragraph identifiers being changed.
  • 03
    Execution: Sign the codicil in the presence of the required number of witnesses.
  • 04
    Notarize: Obtain a notarial acknowledgment or self-proving affidavit if state law permits.

Typical online workflow for preparing and circulating a Codicil

Digital workflows can handle drafting, field placement, signer routing, and evidence capture while preserving a complete audit trail.

  • Upload: Upload the original will and draft codicil PDF or DOCX.
  • Add Fields: Place signature, witness, and notary fields on the codicil.
  • Route: Send signing links to testator and witnesses in required order.
  • Archive: Capture the signed PDF and certificate of completion for records.

Recommended online configuration for codicil execution

Configure the digital workflow to reflect your jurisdiction’s witness and notarization requirements before sending for signatures.

Field Configuration
File Type Use PDF/A or DOCX for preservation and compatibility.
Authentication Use email + SMS code or ID verification per local requirements.
Signing Order Set signer order: testator → witnesses → notary (if required).
Audit Trail Enable complete audit logging and certificate generation.

Technical considerations for e‑execution and storage

Verify file formats, signer authentication options, and notary integrations before beginning an online codicil workflow.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX and HTML are typically supported.
  • Integrations: Connectors: Salesforce, Google Workspace, NetSuite, Box.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced signer verification.

Security and compliance features to consider for digital codicils

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps, IP, and action history
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or advanced identity verification
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 available
HIPAA: BAA available for protected health information
E-sign Law Compliance: ESIGN and UETA support for record validity

Common legal risks if a Codicil is improperly prepared

Invalid Execution: Codicil may be declared invalid by probate court
Probate Delay: Improper form can lengthen estate administration timelines
Ambiguity: Vague language invites litigation among beneficiaries
Revocation Issues: Unclear revocation language may unintentionally revoke provisions
Forgery Risk: Insufficient authentication raises fraud allegations
Tax Consequences: Poor drafting can trigger unintended tax reporting

Frequent drafting and execution mistakes to avoid

  • Using imprecise references (e.g., 'change paragraph three') without citing page or clause can create uncertainty in probate and lead to expensive litigation.
  • Failing to use the exact legal name or using initials only may cause institutions to refuse acceptance of the codicil during estate administration.
  • Skipping the required number of witnesses or neglecting a required notarization invalidates the codicil under many state statutes that treat codicils like wills.
  • Mixing beneficiary designation changes with codicil language—such changes often require separate beneficiary forms held by financial institutions.

Essential elements every professional Codicil Form should include

Ensure the codicil contains these six elements to link it unambiguously to the original will and to comply with execution formalities.

Identification

Clear reference to the original will by date and testator name

Amendment Clause

Precise wording specifying the addition, deletion, or replacement

Effective Date

Date of execution in MM/DD/YYYY format

Signatures

Testator signature and date of signing

Witness Blocks

Witness names, addresses, and signatures per state rules

Notary Block

Notarial acknowledgment or self-proving affidavit where applicable

Practical tips for accurate and efficient codicil completion

Follow these best practices to reduce execution risk and streamline probate processing.

Use precise cross‑references
Cite the original will’s date and the exact paragraph or clause being changed; avoid open‑ended language that invites multiple interpretations.
Get legal review for substantive changes
For changes affecting estate tax planning or fiduciary powers, obtain attorney review to ensure the amendment achieves the intended legal and tax outcomes.
Follow execution formalities exactly
Observe the witness count, notary acknowledgement, and any state-specific signing order; use a self-proving affidavit where available to avoid future witness testimony.
Preserve originals and notify executor
Deliver originals to the appointed executor or safe deposit with documentation of location; provide copies to counsel for the estate file.

Timing and recordkeeping expectations for codicils

Codicils themselves typically have no statutory filing deadline, but observe execution timing to ensure priority and preserve probate evidence.

Execution Date:

Record the signature date; priority may depend on chronological order of wills and codicils.

Probate Submission:

Submit the will and any codicils to probate when opening the estate per local court timelines.

Record Retention:

Retain originals for at least 7 years after estate closure where practical.

Notary Records:

Notaries should retain journal entries per state rules; RON sessions typically require longer retention.

Revocation Timing:

A later codicil or later will may revoke earlier codicils; ensure dates are unambiguous.

Key milestones from drafting to probate for a codicil

This milestone sequence outlines crucial stages and what to expect between drafting and estate administration.

01

Drafting & Review

Draft the amendment and confirm it integrates with the original will language.

02

Execution & Witnessing

Sign with the required witnesses present and complete any notarization.

03

Safekeeping

Deliver originals to the executor or store securely with counsel or a safe deposit solution.

04

Probate Filing

Submit will and codicils to the probate court when opening the estate administration.

Comparing eSignature vendor pricing and core features relevant to codicil workflows

Choose a provider that supports required formats, notarization or RON integrations, and provides robust audit trails; signNow appears first for parity in comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes — 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA available) Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about Codicil Forms

Answers to common questions about validity, signing, notarization, and how codicils interact with wills and probate.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Sample Letter of Admissions Request for Credit Report Request for Credit Report After Denial
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.