Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Rhode Island

Depends on how your Will is drafted - the specific language of your Will. Some Wills, for example, will say, "I leave X to Y, if he shall survive me," which makes the bequest conditional on survival. Another Will may simply say, "I leave X to Y," or may specify, "I leave X to Y, his heirs, successors and assigns."

Suggest you have a local lawyer review your Will - perhaps the lawyer who prepared it in the first place would be best, so he or she may prepare a codicil (which is something that permits a small modification), if needed.

Besides, you should have your Will reviewed periodically for just such issues, as well as long-term care/end-of-life planning.

Best wishes,

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