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Maryland Wills Revocation

Revocation of a will means that the will provisions are terminated, and either the prior original executed last will and testament stands, or the default laws of intestacy may apply, if the testator passes away. If a person has created a new revision to their will and thus wants their previous will nullified, they will need to go through the process of revocation. It is important to seek the counsel of an experienced Maryland wills attorney. Having a lawyer help you through the process is a better assurance that there won’t be issues related to your last will and testament further down the line.

Proving You Have Revoked Your Will

There are several ways that a last will and testament can be revoked in Maryland. Although there are a number of ways to revoke a will, often drafting a new last will and testament that revokes all prior last wills and testaments is preferred. Other ways to revoke a will include destroying the will or drawing a line through the will and stating that the will is invalid. It is important to note that marking up or writing on an original last will and testament may have the unintended result of voiding provisions of the will or the entire will.

Some people are not aware of the accepted ways to revoke a will, leading to complications between family members down the line after the testator has passed away. When a family is already dealing with the loss of a loved one, they do not need the added distraction of confusion or conflict over how to administer a person’s estate. A Maryland wills lawyer will work with a client to ensure there aren’t any unnecessary complications with your last will and testament.

Unique Aspects of Maryland Will Revocation

There are a number of ways a last will and testament can be revoked. Some methods for revocation include destroying the prior last will and testament, drawing  a line through the last will and testament and marking it as “void,” or executing a new last will and testament that states that all prior last wills and testaments are revoked. If a last will and testament is revoked, then the prior original executed last will and testament will stand if not also revoked. In addition, if more than one original last will and testament was executed than all originals should be revoked to prevent confusion. Testator’s sometimes accidentally revoke provisions to their last will and testament by writing on the original document. The handwritten changes may not be honored, rather they may invalidate part or all of the last will and testament.

Important Things to Remember About Maryland Will Revocation

The most important thing to remember about wills is that there are a number of ways a last will and testament can be revoked. If someone is unsure of what method they want to pursue, they should get in contact with an experienced wills lawyer in Maryland who has dealt with these similar issues before. It will not harm a person’s will to have a responsible and caring advocate by their side.