Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts
If a person writes a new will which will then invalidate a previous will, is there any legal requirement to notify beneficiaries of the first will that are no included in the new will?
Thank you.
4 Answers from Attorneys
There is no requirement to notify previous beneficiaries of a prior executed will.
No. Other than an obligation under statute to one's wife, any one can change their Will at any time without informing any beneficiaries under the prior Will.
The beneficiaries are irrelevant as far as notice or consultation is concerned. Their role becomes active upon the person's death only!
Because a will can be changed at any time, beneficiaries have no interest in a person's will until the death of the will-maker. Beneficiaries do not require any notice, and they are not entitled to read or enforce a will during the lifetime of the will-maker. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any follow-up questions. 617-357-4898.