Close X

Jupiter Probate and Estate Administration Law Blog

Important steps when changing a will

Posted by Craig F. Snyder, Esq. | Jan 08, 2016 | 0 Comments

The status of your estate — and your relationship with various heirs and beneficiaries — changes over time. After creating a will, you might get married or divorced. You might have additional children or grandchildren. The ways in which your relationships can change are almost unlimited, as are the reasons you might want to edit a will. To make valid changes to your will, however, you simply can't edit the document and call it a day.

How you must revoke your old will depends on the state your will was created in and the state where you will be creating your new will. In most cases, you can destroy the original copy of the old will, create a valid and executed new will that postdates the old will, or make documented changes to the old will.

Destroying the old will usually means shredding it, but you could also burn it or otherwise destroy the document. In most cases, you can require that someone else destroy the document. The original has to be destroyed; destroying a copy doesn't invalidate the will. If you only want to remove a single provision from the will, it's usually not enough to simply cross it out.

Creating a new — and legally valid — will causes any older will to be revoked. It's probably still a good idea to destroy old copies of wills, though. The existence of multiple wills can cause disputes during the probate process.

You can edit a will by making witnessed and signed changes to the document. The new document is referred to as a codicil. You can create a codicil to add or remove heirs from a will or make other major changes. Changing a will or creating a new will can have long-lasting legal ramifications, making it a good idea to consult a legal professional to ensure you are maintaining a solid estate plan with your changes.

Source: FindLaw, “How to Revoke a Will,” accessed Jan. 08, 2016

About the Author

Craig F. Snyder, Esq.

Craig F. Snyder , J.D., M.B.A., is the principal of Craig F. Snyder, P.A. Mr. Snyder's concentrated practice acumen is grounded with a multi-disciplined education in law and accounting. Prior to the establishment of his firm in 1990, Mr. Snyder practiced tax with the international accounting, tax...

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Craig F. Snyder, P.A is Here for You

At Craig F. Snyder, P.A., we focus on Estate Planning, Probate, Asset Protection, and Business Succession Planning. We are here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.

Contact Us Today

Craig F. Snyder, P.A. is committed to answering your questions about Estate Planning, Probate, Asset Protection, and Business Succession Planning issues in Florida. We offer consultations and we'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.