Old Wills

It’s important to note that a subsequent will can only invalidate an earlier one to the extent that the new terms conflict with the earlier ones. However, any ambiguity in your will may lead to a ‘losing’ beneficiary contesting your recent will, which can result in legal complications. To avoid this, it’s advisable to specify that your update will overrule all previous ones.

Regardless of what you have done or where you store your old will, the fundamental legislation is still in effect. It’s important to note that the old will is void if you have updated it and verified your signature in front of witnesses. This is a crucial step in the legal process.

When it comes to marriage, it’s important to understand that your earlier will is immediately voided upon marriage or remarriage. In the event of your passing without a new will, your partner will often inherit everything.

You can draft a new will ahead of time for implementation upon marriage. Should you include wording in the updated will that explicitly states it is being reviewed for marriage to a specific individual, it won’t be immediately voided upon your marriage.

Your previous will is revoked if it is purposefully destroyed. However, if you only partially destroy it, your executors or administrators may ask the court to determine if your will is legitimate, and they are still determining if the destruction was done on purpose. This underscores the importance of handling your will with care and ensuring its proper revocation.

In the event that your executors or beneficiaries believe the loss of your will was unintentional, possibly due to a fire, they may be successful in their court action to obtain a copy of the original will. This legal process is in place to protect your interests and ensure that your will is handled according to your intentions.