How to Make a Codicil to a Will in England and Wales

What is a codicil?

A codicil is a separate legal document that alters or adds to specific parts of an existing will, without cancelling the rest of it. It references your original will and sets out only the changes you want to make.

Unlike making a completely new will, a codicil leaves everything else in your existing will untouched. It suits small, clearly defined changes, such as updating an executor’s details, adding a modest gift, or correcting an address. It does not suit a change of mind about who inherits most of your estate, which is better handled with a new will and a proper revocation clause.

What are the requirements for a valid codicil?

A codicil must be signed and witnessed under the same formalities as a will, by two witnesses who are present at the same time. There is no shortcut version for a small change.

You must have testamentary capacity when you make a codicil, in the same way you need it to make a will. It must be in writing, signed by you, and your signature witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries under your will or the codicil, since the same witnessing rules apply. Skipping any part of this makes the codicil invalid, even if your original will is perfectly sound.

What changes can you make with a codicil?

A codicil suits small, specific changes: updating an executor, adding or removing a modest gift, or correcting a detail. It is not designed for a substantial rewrite of your wishes.

Common uses include changing who acts as executor, adding a gift to a person or charity you had not previously included, or updating details like an address or a name that has changed. For example, someone who wants to leave a small legacy to a grandchild born after their will was made is a textbook case for a codicil. They can add the gift without touching anything else in the document, rather than a full rewrite. If you are making several changes at once, or reconsidering who inherits the bulk of your estate, a new will is clearer. It is less likely to cause disputes than a codicil trying to carry too much weight. Multiple codicils stacked on top of each other over the years are a common source of confusion for executors trying to work out which version of a wish is the current one.

How much does a codicil cost?

A solicitor typically charges around £50 to £200 for a codicil, depending on how complex the change is and which firm you use.

Prices vary widely between firms, so it is worth checking gov.uk’s guidance on updating a will and asking for a fixed fee before instructing anyone.

This is usually cheaper than paying for a full new will, which is part of why codicils are popular for a single small update. That said, the saving narrows once you account for the time spent arranging a solicitor appointment for a two-line change. This is why a solicitor-checked online will is often quicker for anything beyond the most trivial edit.

What do you do after signing a codicil?

Keep the codicil attached to your original will and make sure your executors know it exists and where to find both documents. A codicil found separately from the will it changes can cause confusion or even be missed entirely after death.

Store the two documents together, whether that is at home, with a solicitor, or in secure will storage, so whoever administers your estate finds both at the same time. Note the existence of the codicil somewhere your executors will see it, since a codicil that never surfaces might as well not exist. If you later make a new will, make sure it properly revokes the earlier will and any codicils attached to it, so there is no ambiguity about which document governs your estate.

Does a codicil affect probate?

A valid codicil is treated at probate the same way as the will it changes, and both documents must be produced together. Its validity is checked using the same rules as the will itself.

At probate, the court examines the will and any codicils attached to it to confirm they meet the formal signing and witnessing requirements. If a codicil’s validity is challenged, for example over doubts about the testator’s capacity or the witnessing, the court applies the same tests it would use for a full will. This is why storing the codicil securely with the original, rather than as a loose extra page, matters for the probate procedure to run smoothly. Once accepted, the codicil’s instructions modify the distribution of assets and inheritance set out in the original will exactly as intended, without formalising a completely new document.

Frequently asked questions

Can a codicil be done without a solicitor?

Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for a codicil, provided it is signed and witnessed correctly by two independent people. A solicitor-checked online will service can also handle small updates, often more cheaply than instructing a solicitor for a standalone codicil.

Can I write my own codicil in the UK?

Yes, as long as it meets the same formalities as a will: in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries. Getting the wording and witnessing right matters more than who drafts it, since an invalid codicil can create confusion rather than clarity.

How much does a solicitor charge to add a codicil to a will?

Typically around £50 to £200, though this varies between firms and depends on how complex the change is. Ask for a fixed quote before instructing a solicitor, since hourly billing can make even a small change more expensive than you might expect.

What is the wording for a codicil to a will?

There is no single fixed wording, but every codicil identifies the will it amends, states the change clearly, and confirms the rest of the will stands. A typical example reads:

I, [your full name], of [your address], declare this to be the first codicil to my will dated [date of your will].

In place of [outgoing executor’s name] as executor, I appoint [new executor’s name] of [address].

In all other respects I confirm my said will.

Signed by the above-named [your name] as a codicil to their will, in our presence, and then by us in theirs.

It then needs the same signature and witnessing as a will, with its own attestation clause, to take effect.