revocation of a will
The act of a testator canceling an old will, either explicitly or through a new will.
What it means
Revocation of a will is the act of a testator canceling a will that was previously made. Revocation can be done by making a new will that conflicts with it, or by an official statement of revocation. As a result, the old will no longer applies.
Why it matters for families
A testator's wishes can change over time, and a proper revocation prevents two wills from conflicting. If misunderstood, the family may carry out an old will that has actually been revoked. This can potentially trigger disputes and incorrect distribution.
Example
For example, a father makes a will giving a car to his first child. A year later he makes a new will giving that car to his second child. The new will revokes the conflicting part of the old will.
Common misunderstanding
Many think an old will is automatically void just because the testator said so verbally. The correction is that revocation should be done officially and documented so it does not cause debate.