Codicil to Last Will & Testament

CODICIL (AMENDMENT) TO LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

of
[TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME]

(Executed in Notarial Testament Form under the Laws of the State of Louisiana)

State of Louisiana | Parish of [PARISH]

This is the [ORDINAL — e.g., First / Second / Third] Codicil (Amendment) to my Last Will and Testament.

1. IDENTIFICATION AND DECLARATION

1.1 Identification of Testator. I, [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], a resident of the State of Louisiana, Parish of [PARISH], being of sound mind and disposing memory, and acting voluntarily and without undue influence, do declare this instrument to be the [ORDINAL] Codicil and Amendment to my Last Will and Testament.

1.2 Identification of the Testament Being Amended. I refer to my Last Will and Testament (notarial testament) dated [__/__/____] (the "Testament"), executed by me before a notary public and two witnesses in the Parish of [PARISH], Louisiana.

1.3 Prior Codicils / Amendments.
☐ I have made no prior codicil or amendment to the Testament.
☐ I have previously executed the following codicil(s)/amendment(s) to the Testament, each in notarial form, which remain in effect except as modified herein:

• Codicil/Amendment dated [__/__/____]
• Codicil/Amendment dated [__/__/____]

1.4 Capacity. I represent that I am at least sixteen (16) years of age (see La. Civ. Code art. 1476), of sound mind, and acting voluntarily.

1.5 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Codicil have the meanings given to them in the Testament. "Forced Heir(s)" has the meaning set forth in La. Civ. Code art. 1493.

2. RATIFICATION OF EXISTING TESTAMENT

2.1 Testament Remains in Force. Except as expressly modified, amended, or revoked by this Codicil, I hereby ratify, confirm, and reaffirm my Testament dated [__/__/____], together with any prior codicil/amendment identified in Section 1.3, in all respects, and I direct that the Testament continue in full force and effect as amended by this Codicil.

2.2 No General Revocation. This Codicil amends my Testament only as set forth in Section 3 and does not revoke the Testament in its entirety.

2.3 Forced Heirship. Nothing in this Codicil shall be construed to deprive any Forced Heir of the legitime guaranteed by La. Civ. Code art. 1493 et seq. If any amendment in Section 3 would affect the legitime of a Forced Heir, that Forced Heir shall receive the portion required by law notwithstanding any contrary provision herein.

3. AMENDING PROVISIONS

3.1 Revocation of a Specific Provision or Legacy.
☐ I hereby REVOKE in its entirety [Section ____] of my Testament, captioned "[CAPTION OR DESCRIPTION]", and direct that it be given no further effect.
☐ I hereby REVOKE the following particular legacy in [Section ____] of my Testament: the legacy of [DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY OR AMOUNT] to [FORMER LEGATEE NAME]. The property so released shall fall into my Residuary Estate unless otherwise directed in this Codicil.

3.2 Addition of a New Legacy.
☐ I hereby ADD the following legacy: I give and bequeath [DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY / $ AMOUNT] to [NEW LEGATEE FULL NAME], of [ADDRESS], provided such legatee survives me by thirty (30) days; otherwise this legacy shall lapse and fall into my Residuary Estate.
☐ Additional legacy: I give [DESCRIPTION / $ AMOUNT] to [LEGATEE NAME].

3.3 Amendment or Replacement of an Existing Provision.
☐ Executor (Succession Representative). I hereby AMEND [Section ____] of my Testament to nominate [NEW EXECUTOR NAME], of [ADDRESS], as Executor of my succession in place of the person previously named. If that person is unable or unwilling to serve, I nominate [ALTERNATE EXECUTOR NAME]. The Executor shall serve without bond except as required by La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3151 or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
☐ Tutor of Minor Children. I hereby AMEND [Section ____] of my Testament to nominate [NEW TUTOR NAME] as tutor of the person and property of any minor child of mine, in place of the tutor previously named. If that person is unable or unwilling to serve, I nominate [ALTERNATE TUTOR NAME].
☐ Trustee. I hereby AMEND [Section ____] of my Testament to appoint [NEW TRUSTEE NAME] as trustee of any trust created under my Testament, in place of the trustee previously named, with all powers conferred under the Louisiana Trust Code, La. R.S. 9:1721 et seq.
☐ Residuary Legatee. I hereby REPLACE the residuary disposition in [Section ____] of my Testament with the following: I give all the rest, residue, and remainder of my Estate (my "Residuary Estate") to [NEW RESIDUARY LEGATEE(S)], [in equal shares / as described: ________________________________]. If [he/she/they] does not survive me, then to [ALTERNATE LEGATEE].
☐ Other Amendment. I hereby amend [Section ____] of my Testament to read in its entirety as follows: [NEW TEXT: ________________________________________________].

4. REPUBLICATION

4.1 Republication. I hereby reaffirm and republish my Testament dated [__/__/____], as amended by this Codicil and by any prior codicil/amendment identified in Section 1.3, as my Last Will and Testament, effective as of the date this Codicil is executed below.

4.2 Governing Law. This Codicil shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana.

4.3 Forum. Any action to probate or contest this Codicil or the Testament shall be filed in the [PARISH] Parish district court, Succession Division, or such other court as then has jurisdiction over successions.

4.4 Severability. If any provision of this Codicil is determined invalid under applicable law, the remaining provisions, and the Testament as previously executed, shall remain in full force and effect.

5. EXECUTION BLOCK — NOTARIAL TESTAMENT FORM

(La. Civ. Code art. 1576, as amended by 2025 La. Acts No. 30, eff. Aug. 1, 2025)

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], the Testator, have signed this Codicil at the end and on each separate page, in the presence of the undersigned notary public and two competent witnesses, all of whom have signed in my presence and in the presence of each other, on this [__/__/____], at [CITY], Parish of [PARISH], Louisiana.

_______________________________
[TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], Testator

WITNESSES:

1. _______________________________
   [WITNESS #1 NAME], witness

2. _______________________________
   [WITNESS #2 NAME], witness

NOTARY PUBLIC:

_______________________________
[NOTARY NAME], Notary Public
Notary I.D. / Bar Roll No.: [NUMBER]
My commission is issued for life / expires: [DATE]

[SEAL]

6. ATTESTATION DECLARATION (SELF-PROVING)

(La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2887(A), enacted by 2025 La. Acts No. 30)

The following declaration, signed by the notary and the subscribing witnesses, is included so that this Codicil shall not need to be proved upon production for filing and execution (La. C.C.P. art. 2887(A); La. C.C.P. art. 2891):

"In our presence the testator has declared or signified that this instrument is his testament and has signed each separate page."

WITNESSES:

_______________________________ _______________________________
[WITNESS #1 NAME], witness [WITNESS #2 NAME], witness

NOTARY PUBLIC:

_______________________________
[NOTARY NAME], Notary Public
Notary I.D. / Bar Roll No.: [NUMBER]

[SEAL]

Sources and References

• La. Civ. Code art. 1576 — Notarial testament; requirements of form (current)
• 2025 La. Acts No. 30 (SB 49) — enrolled text amending arts. 1575–1576, 1581 and enacting La. C.C.P. art. 2887; repealing arts. 1577–1580.1
• 2025 La. Acts No. 30 — Act text
• Résumé Digest, Act 30 (SB 49), 2025 Regular Session
• La. Civ. Code art. 1493 — Forced heirs
• Louisiana Successions — Formal Requirements for Notarial Testaments (Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual)

This Codicil is drafted in reliance on, and intended to comply with, the notarial-testament form requirements of La. Civ. Code art. 1576 (as amended by 2025 La. Acts No. 30) and the self-proving provisions of La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2887. Louisiana civil-law succession rules — including forced heirship — differ materially from common-law states. Have this Codicil reviewed by a licensed Louisiana attorney before execution.