Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

While you may do so, the will might not be admitted to probate (accepted by the Register of Wills) and your directions not be given effect. Even if it is admitted to probate, the results of your will may not be those you intended, and there may be adverse effects that you had not considered.

It is better to have a lawyer draw up a new will based on your desires, and have the lawyer conduct the will signing so that it observes the legal requirements and formalities of proper signing, witnessing, acknowledging. Often people try to write and sign a will themselves, and it will not be sufficient because those formalities were not observed. If the will does not qualify for filing (probating), the estate will be treated as if there was no will, and state law will govern who receives what.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.