How Codicils Can Simplify Updating Your Will as Life Evolves
Writing a will is probably not something you want to do more than once. So, if things have changed since you finished the process, and you don't want to start over, you could consider crafting a codicil instead.
Let's say you've written your will and expressed how you'd like your assets to be split among your heirs, but it's been a few years, and since then, things have changed. Perhaps your daughter graduated from law school, and you want to name her as your executor. Or maybe you've inherited your parents' home, or you've taken up car restoration and now own a cherry 1973 Corvette Stingray that one son loves and the other couldn't care less about.
Writing and executing your will is an indispensable piece of estate planning, but oftentimes, specific assets are overlooked or are subsequently introduced, or sometimes your wishes simply change.
You always have the option of rewriting your will. A “second draft” is a thorough solution to address any new issues that have come up, and the process can provide a valuable opportunity to rethink your choices with a new perspective. Generally speaking, your will should be rewritten after any major life event, such as a marriage, divorce or having children. But there is another option to consider – a codicil, which is well-suited to address very specific amendments to your will.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
A codicil is a legal amendment to your will that serves as an update for one or potentially a few specific issues that you want to add or change. Codicils need to be executed in the same manner as your will, with requirements varying from state to state, and are typically physically attached to the will, as well.
For some of the examples mentioned above, a codicil could be written to reflect the updated wishes of the testator. If in retirement, and after you filed your will, you started restoring cars as a hobby and became quite good at it, you might consider writing a codicil to spell out your wishes for them. You might want to leave your Stingray to your son, your Mustang to your daughter and your 911 to the Humane Society. As long as you clearly describe what your wishes are and file the codicil in accordance with state requirements, your amended wishes will be included as part of your will.
A codicil can also be used to revise a particular aspect of your will, which, for one reason or another, has become outdated. A common example is that you want to change the individual you previously elected as executor of your estate. There are a number of reasons why someone might do this: Perhaps you moved to a new state and want to name a family member who lives nearby, or a child has earned their JD and now makes more sense to be executor than the sibling you had originally named.
A codicil might also make sense if you wish to bequest a specific family heirloom, like your grandmother’s engagement ring, or a summer cottage that has special meaning to one but perhaps not all your children. If in your original will, you expressed that all your assets are to be split equally among your surviving children, disputes can arise as to whether these items should be liquidated or held onto and distributed as individual entities.
In the case of the engagement ring, if you want to bequeath it to one of your heirs for whom it holds particular significance, you will need to spell that out in either your will or a codicil. It’s worth noting that not everything in an estate can be equally divided, unless all assets are liquidated. The key is to make sure that your personal wishes for your assets are accurately reflected in your will and/or codicil.
I always advise those who wish to make updates to their will to have a qualified attorney draft a new will or a codicil for you. The important thing is to be very specific about what you wish to change and to ensure that the document is executed per the requirements of your state of primary residence. When implemented properly, a codicil can be a useful tool to address specific aspects of your life which have changed subsequent to filing your original will.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Casey Robinson is the Managing Director of Wealth Planning at Waldron Private Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm located just outside Pittsburgh. He focuses on simplifying the complexities of wealth for a select group of individuals, families and family offices. Robinson has extensive experience assisting multi-generational families with estate planning strategies, integrating trusts, tax planning and risk management.
-
Top New Year’s Travel Destinations: Glamorous Cities & Peaceful Retreats
Ring in the New Year your way — explore vibrant celebrations or find your peaceful retreat.
By Karon Warren Published
-
Jim Carrey Ran Out of Money in Retirement. Will You?
Cash-strapped retirees are returning to the workforce. How to prevent becoming one of them.
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
Do You Feel Like Somebody’s Watching You? It's Your Car
What's worse, you gave your vehicle manufacturer permission to watch you — no matter what you're doing. What are the car companies doing with that information?
By Karl Susman, CPCU, LUTCF, CIC, CSFP, CFS, CPIA, AAI-M, PLCS Published
-
Three Possible Tax Impacts for Retirees Under Trump
How might a second Trump term affect your tax bill in retirement — or the inheritance tax bill for your heirs? This pro has three predictions.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA® Published
-
What to Know About Leverage and Bitcoin's Meteoric Rise
Leverage in the financial world can lead to astonishing success or a crushing collapse. How are investors using leverage to invest in bitcoin?
By Stephen P. Harbeck Published
-
How Do You Know When It's Time to Change Financial Advisers?
Sometimes a breakup is for the best. Here's how to handle 'the talk' and make the switch to a new professional who's a better fit for you.
By Kelli Kiemle, AIF® Published
-
The Best Ways to Use Your Year-End Bonus (and the Worst)
'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' shouldn't be anyone's go-to for financial advice, but it does remind us how not to spend a holiday bonus.
By Frank J. Legan Published
-
LLCs: Power Tools That Can Create Big Problems
Forming an LLC for your business might seem like a straightforward endeavor, but if you don't know exactly what you're doing, trouble could follow.
By Rustin Diehl, JD, LLM Published
-
Never Talk About Money? For Women, That Can Spell Disaster
How can you plan for retirement when your husband holds the purse strings and talking about money is taboo? Help is at hand for this common problem for women.
By Cynthia Pruemm, Investment Adviser Representative Published
-
How Combining Your Home Equity and IRA Can Supercharge Your Retirement
While many retirees own an IRA and a home, very few are considering how they could work together in a plan for retirement income.
By Jerry Golden, Investment Adviser Representative Published