A testamentary disposition subsequent to a will, and by which the will is altered, explained, added to, subtracted from, or confirmed by way of republication, but in no case totally revoked. Lamb v. Lamb, 11 Pick. (Mass.) 376; Dunham v. Averlll, 45 Conn. 70, 20 Am. Rep. 642; Green v. Lane, 45 N. C. 113; Grimball v. Patton, 70 Ala. 631; Proctor v. Clarke, 3 Redf. Sur. (N. Y.) 448. A codicil is an addition or supplement to a will, either to add to, take from, or alter the provisions of the will. It must be executed with the same formality as a will, and, when admitted to probate, forms a part of the will.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
(A) A codicil is a document that modifies the original will and may add, subtract, qualify, revoke privileges or make other substantive changes to the original will and it must be signed and witnessed with the same requirements as the original will. (B) An addition or supplement to a will; it must be executed with the same solemnities (requirements.) A codicil is a part of the will, the two instruments making but one will. 2. There may be several codicils to one will, and the whole will be taken as one: the codicil does not, consequently, revoke the will further than it is in opposition to some of its particular dispositions, unless there be express words of revocation. 8 Cowen, Rep. 56., 3. Formerly, the difference between a will and a codicil consisted in this, that in the former an executor was named, while in the latter none was appointed. This is the distinction of the civil law, and adopted by the canon law. 4. Codicils were chiefly intended to mitigate the strictness of the ancient Roman law, which required that a will should be attested by seven Roman citizens, omni exceptione majores. A legacy could be bequeathed, but the heir could not be appointed by codicil, though he might be made heir indirectly by way of fidei commissum. 5. Codicils owe their origin to the following circumstances. Lucius Lentulus, dying in Africa, left. codicils, confirmed by anticipation in a will of former date, and in those codicils requested the emperor Augustus, by way of fidei commissum, or trust, to do something therein expressed. The emperor carried this will into effect, and the daughter of Lentulus paid legacies which she would not otherwise have been legally bound to pay. Other persons made similar fidei-commissa, and then the emperor, by the advice of learned men whom he consulted, sanctioned the making of codicils, and thus they became clothed with legal authority. 6. The form of devising by codicil is abolished in Louisiana; Code, 1563; and whether the disposition of the property be made by testament, under this title, or under that of institution of heir, of legacy, codicil, donation mortis causa, or under any other name indicating the last will, provided it be clothed with the forms required for the validity of a testament, it is, as far as form is concerned, to be considered a testament.