Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Virginia

I would suggest that you arrange to consult with a local attorney who

handles probate and trust matters so that s/he might have the opportunity to

review your trust instrument as well as the letter from the decedent (including

the relevant facts surrounding its execution) and who then should be in a

position to advise you on these matters, accordingly.

Your questions would appear to involve the legal doctrine/principle of ADEMPTION and ABATEMENT which this attorney should be able to further explain to you as it may relate to the facts of your case.

The answer is not clear from the facts, but if your father died before his father, his "will" would not affect your inheritance under your grandfather's trust, unless perhaps there's something in the trust to the contrary. An important additional question of fact is whether your father's notarized letter was in his handwriting alone; if so, it might qualify as a codicil to his prior will if he lived in Virginia. If not, it probably will have no impact on what his prior will (if there was one) provided. I further don't see how his reference to "his trust" could mean his father's trust (your grandfather) assuming your grandfather's trust was revokable up the the time of the grandfather's death, which would be after your father's death.

All in all, you need to have counsel in your father's jurisdiction look at the paperwork.