Using A Photocopy And Then Downloaded Form To Revoke A Will Is Ineffective According To Recent Court Decision

A Minnesota Appeals Court has recently held that a testator’s attempt to revoke her original will by making a photo copy of it and then making a new one with a downloadable form was invalid.  On October 11, 2008, Esther Sullivan attempted to make hand written changes to an original will that she drafted back in 2006.  Later on October 30, 2010, Sullivan tried to execute a new valid will by downloading a form and filling in the provisions by hand.  The Court of Appeals held that the new will was invalid because Ms. Sullivan failed to adhere to the necessary will formalities.  In re the Estate of Sullivan can be read here. 

See Efforts to Change Will Using Photocopy and Then Downloaded Form Are Ineffective, Elder Law Answers, August 27, 2015.