When people in Florida think about the future, they may want to prepare by making a will. It is important to remember that a will can always be revoked or amended on an ongoing basis so long as the person who made out the will is competent to do so and not being subjected to undue influence. Anyone who is a competent adult can make a will, and there are several ways to amend or revoke them. One of the easiest ways for people to revoke an existing will is to make a new one. This automatically revokes all previous wills in existence.
People are allowed to change their minds about their wills repeatedly, even for petty or capricious reasons. As long as they understand the changes they are making, there is an unlimited number of alterations people can make to the distribution of their assets. Of course, it is best for people to destroy all previous wills when making a new one. Failing to do so may lead to confusion and even will contests during probate when multiple people present wills that they claim to be valid. The resulting disputes could eat up substantial portions of the estate.
People may make new wills when their families change. For example, marriage, divorce and the birth of children or grandchildren may all prompt people to make a new will. Some people may even want to make a new will if they decide to move to a new state, especially if there are significant differences in how the law treats probate matters and asset distribution.
People thinking about how to provide for their loved ones in the future can make a plan that includes a will, trusts and other key documents. An estate planning attorney may help people to develop a comprehensive plan that reflects their goals.
