Part of your will may no longer reflect what you want after something in your life changes. Perhaps you want someone else to receive a certain item, while the rest of the document still works for you. In that situation, replacing the entire will might seem unnecessary.
In Florida, you can make a limited change through a codicil. A codicil is a separate written document that changes specific terms in your existing will while the rest stays in place. You still have to follow Florida’s signing rules for the codicil to be valid.
A codicil changes specific terms
A codicil does not replace your original will. Instead, it changes the specific terms you name in the new document. The rest of your will stays in effect.
Your codicil becomes part of how others read your will after your death. That makes precise wording important. If the two documents give different instructions, the person handling your estate may have more trouble carrying out what you intended.
Florida requires proper signing
Even a small change has to follow Florida’s signing rules. Florida law requires you to sign a codicil under the same rules that apply to a will. You sign or confirm your signature in front of at least two witnesses. The witnesses then sign in your presence and in each other’s presence.
You cannot properly change your will by writing new terms on the signed document or crossing out existing ones. An informal change could affect part or all of the will.
Decide how much you want to change
A codicil may work well when you want to revise one part of your will. You could compare the change with your broader plans for your property and family to see if everything still works together. If several terms no longer match your wishes, a new will might make your instructions easier for your loved ones to follow.