A will is a legal document. Once you sign it, the will remains in place, and it is legally effective. If circumstances change, you may need to make changes or revoke a previous version of your will. Otherwise, someone named as part of your original will remains a part of it.
Technically, you can revoke a will by destroying it or by drawing a prominent red line through it. However, these solutions do not fully address your needs. Destroying a will may meet your short-term needs, but it does not help in the long run. If you revoke a will, you would be left without any way of controlling how your property transfers to your loved ones. Then, your family would face significant legal issues if you died without a will.
Your best course of action to revoke a will is to make a new last will and testament. The new document would have a provision that states that it automatically revokes all previous versions of your will. Then, you would still have a will in place that reflects your current needs, making life easier for your family in the future. You can amend a will with a codicil that revokes the prior versions that were in place.
You should take time to review your entire estate plan and your will every so often to ensure that they reflect your current wishes. An experienced attorney can help you make any changes that are necessary, including helping you execute and draft a new will.
Contact a Lincolnshire Estate Planning Attorney Today
The attorneys at Charles T Newland & Associates can help your family with all your estate planning needs. To speak with one of our lawyers, you can call us today at 847.797.9300 or send us a message online.
