QUESTION
Is the will still valid after the changes made?
Asked on Jul 23rd, 2015 on Estate Planning - Illinois
More details to this question:
My mom had a will drawn up by a lawyer here in Illinois back in the late 90's. A few years ago she made some revisions/notes on the original of the will to change one of the secondary beneficiaries, and initialed them. She did this on her own without a lawyer. My question is, does what she did make the will invalid? Will she have to have a new will made? Thank you.
1 ANSWER
Probate Attorney serving Palatine, IL
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Law Offices of Robert H. Glorch
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It probably doesn't make the entire will invalid, but the edits will be invalid unless the edit/initials were properly attested by 2 witnesses. Cross-outs and initials are bad as they add ambiguity. Your mother would be well-served to create a new will that expresses her wishes.
Answered on Jul 29th, 2015 at 9:46 PM