Revocation of a Will in St. Charles County

A last will and testament is a legal estate document to advise the estate representative of your final wishes. The will names your heirs, guardians for children, and more. The representative validates the will in probate court, pays off the outstanding debt balances, and then distributes your property and assets to your heirs according to your instructions.

Many life-changing events can occur after you create a will and other estate documents. An attorney is here to answer questions about the revocation of a will in St. Charles County. A skilled lawyer could ensure your estate planning documents accurately reflect your current wishes.

Life-Changing Events Requiring Will Revocation

A sound estate plan requires ongoing review and updates, and individuals should evaluate their estate plans yearly. Some life-changing events that may lead to will revocation include the following:

• Marriage or remarriage
• Divorce
• Births and deaths
• Opening or closing a business
• Buying or selling real estate and other assets
• Inheritances or receiving a significant amount of money or property

When significant changes occur and people fail to change their will and estate documents, there could be issues carrying out their final wishes.

The Importance of Valid and Current Wills

Valid and current wills protect property, legacies, and the descendant’s beneficiaries. They ensure property and assets go to the people and organizations of the individual’s choice and select guardians for minor children.

The legal documents also allow the maker to name an estate representative and someone to oversee assets for minor children. There are countless benefits, regardless of the individual’s finances or situation. People can only control their property distribution and other vital decisions with a current will.

What Happens Without a Current Will in St. Charles County?

When someone passes away without a valid will, the court distributes property to the closest living relatives. If there are no close living relatives, it will disburse the property to distant family members. The assets and property will belong to the state if the court cannot locate any surviving relatives.

The Revocation of Wills Statute in Missouri

Missouri laws allow individuals to make changes or revoke wills after creating them. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 474.400, the testator—the person who made the will—can invalidate or modify their final wishes by creating a new will to replace the old one.

The testator can tear up, shred, or burn the will—whatever method they want to use to ruin the document. They must destroy the outdated version once they make the new will with adjustments. An experienced lawyer in St. Charles County could help revoke an old will by drafting an updated document.

Call an Experienced Attorney for Will Revocation St. Charles County

Creating and revoking outdated wills is crucial to protecting your loved ones and ensuring your final wishes are carried out. Losing family members is difficult, even with effective estate planning in place. When someone dies without a current will, the burden on their loved ones can be even more significant.

Discuss the revocation of a will in St. Charles County with a skilled attorney. Legal counsel could guide you through the process to ensure you control the distribution of property and other vital aspects of your estate. Call to schedule a consultation today.