Los Angeles Estate Planning Lawyer for Codicils

Do you need changes made to your existing will? If you live in the Los Angeles area, including nearby communities such as Malibu, Brentwood, Santa Monica, and others, an estate planning attorney at the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro, A Professional Corporation, may be able to help you.

What are Codicils?

A codicil is a written amendment that adds to, deletes, or changes specific provisions in a will, effective as of the date the codicil is signed. These changes may be small such as changing executors, replacing guardians for children, naming new custodians for gifts made to children, changing the guardians of children's property, or the trustees of children's trusts. They may also make major changes such as completely altering the distribution of assets.

The original will is identified in the codicil so that it remains in effect except for the changes made in the codicil. And, since the revisions made in a codicil may override original provisions, a codicil must be signed, dated, and witnessed just like a last will and testament. When the person dies, both the will and the codicil are used to administer the estate and distribute the property, belongings, and other assets to the heirs and other beneficiaries according to the person's instructions.  

How a Los Angeles Codicils Attorney Can Help

You last will and testament is an extremely important legal instrument, which delineates precisely how you wish your estate to be handled. Thus it needs to be a valid and legally binding document, reflecting your current needs and goals. Changes may occur in your life that need to be stated in your existing will. This is where the services of our law firm apply. At the Law Offices of David A. Shapiro, A Professional Corporation, a codicil attorney is ready to assist you. Let us put our experience, skill, and knowledge to work for you.