Can my parents override their will on their own with a new letter?

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Can my parents override their will on their own with a new letter?

They want to write a letter with their new wishes for
their last will and have it notarized.

Asked on December 19, 2018 under Estate Planning, Illinois

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

They can override thier own will with a new will, but not with a letter, even a notarized one. The new will doesn't need to be long or complex, but it does need to be executed (signed) and, very importantly, properly witnessed as well; as being notarized. A will can be changed or overridden only by a new document meeting the criteria to be a will.


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