Create and Maintain a Codicil

Created by IronClad Family Support, Modified on Sat, Nov 29 at 5:31 PM by IronClad Family Support

Creating and Managing a Codicil (Digital Assets) with IronClad Family

A codicil is an amendment to an existing Last Will and Testament. Many families use codicils to update beneficiaries, add new assets, or add legally required instructions for digital assets. IronClad Family provides a secure, guided codicil-creation tool that helps you create, store, and deliver this update with full zero-knowledge encryption.

You may also upload a codicil that was prepared by an attorney. Once saved, your codicil can be assigned to any number of vaults for delivery based on your chosen conditions.

Step 1: Open the Legal Section

1) From your dashboard, click on Legal in the left-hand navigation.

Step 2: Open Your Will Planning Area

2) Under the Planning tab on the right, click Last Will.

Step 3: Choose “Digital Assets Codicil”

3) Click the Digital Assets Codicil button to begin. You may also upload an existing codicil if it was prepared by your attorney. Digital-asset codicils are especially important because federal and state laws such as RUFADAA (Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act) require explicit permission for your executor or loved ones to access online accounts, cryptocurrency, cloud storage, social media, and other digital property.

Why this matters: Without a written codicil or written digital-asset authorization, your executor may be legally blocked from accessing online accounts, financial apps, photos, email accounts, or crypto wallets due to federal privacy laws.

Step 4: Complete the Questionnaire

4) Review the questions in each section. You can:

Click Next to move forward
Click Back to review previous steps
Use the dropdown menu to jump between sections

5) Be sure to Save your work periodically.

6) If you need to pause, click Save and Exit. You can resume at any time.

Step 5: Completion & Confirmation

7) After completing the questionnaire, you will return to the main menu and see a confirmation message that your codicil has been successfully created.

Step 6: Assign Your Codicil to Vaults

8) Assign your codicil to one or more vaults so it is delivered to trusted recipients based on that vault’s delivery trigger (e.g., death, incapacity, or manual delivery).

Tip: Codicils should always be stored in the same vault(s) as your main will so your recipients receive the correct updated version of your instructions.

Step 7: Download, Sign & Re-Upload (If Required)

9) Some states require your codicil to be physically signed and witnessed (similar to a standard will). If required in your jurisdiction:

Download the codicil
Print and sign it
Use witnesses and/or a notary if your state requires it
Upload the executed copy back into your vault

Legal Disclaimer: IronClad Family does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Codicil templates and tools are provided for general information only and may not meet the legal requirements of every jurisdiction. You are responsible for consulting with a licensed attorney to ensure your will and codicil comply with local laws and accurately reflect your intentions.