Do Last Will and Testaments Really Expire?

Wills are perpetual in nature, meaning that once the testator proves and validates his will, it will never end. In this sense, a will can never “expire” and there is no restriction that limits the time for which a will remains valid. However, there are certain ways in which a testator can end the validity of his will during his lifetime, and additional restrictions on the time during which the executor of the will can initiate the succession. Even if your last will is still valid, the important thing to remember is that it may not be suitable for your needs.

Your circumstances may have changed significantly since you prepared the will and your wishes may also be different. In general, we recommend that clients read their will at least once a year to verify that it continues to be in accordance with their needs and desires. The only way to invalidate a will is when the Testator revokes all previous wills, in his current will. There are also additional restrictions on the time during which the executor of the will can initiate the estate.

If you die without a will, you die intestate, and New York State has codified in law specific divisions of your estate when you die without a will that may not fit your wishes. New York divides your estate between a spouse and minor children. If none of them survive, other members of your family may be entitled to part or all of your estate. These changes can be used to keep a current and current will and will, especially when personal circumstances change over time. Writing your last will & doesn't have to be a difficult or complicated process: Capital Legacy helps more than 9,800 new customers every month.

Online will creators allow you to write, print and sign your last will through an online or downloaded document creator. A last will is a legal document that communicates a person's final wishes in relation to assets and dependants. Specifically, a will and last will instruct the court on the disposition of all assets, including who will receive them and in what amount. If a last will is revoked and a new one is not created, then it is as if you had died intestate (without a will), and you follow the laws of your state when distributing your assets.