PA Codicil vs. New Will

A codicil is an amendment to an existing will, executed with the same formalities (signed, witnessed, notarized self-proving). It must be probated together with the original will.

Why codicils fall out of favor

Word processing makes a clean replacement trivial. A codicil creates two documents that must be read together, increasing the risk of conflict or one being lost.

When a codicil still works

A trivial change — adding a small bequest, changing one beneficiary's address — to an otherwise current will.

When to replace

Any change to executors, residuary beneficiaries, guardians, or tax structure should trigger a new will.