Is Your Will Valid After Marriage?

If you get married or have a child after signing a will, it is generally valid anywhere in the United States. However, if you get married after you have already made a will, it is crucial to understand the consequences of not executing a new one. A will can remain valid after a marriage if it is made beforehand in contemplation of marriage, creating opportunities for fiancés or fiancées.

In England and Wales, any legally valid will that you previously put in place automatically becomes void unless it specifically references your intended intent of marriage. Marrying someone or remarrying after you have created your will can immediately alter that will, as your spouse will legally become your main heir. A will must be in writing, either printed or handwritten, and the person making a will must sign and date it.

Difference affects your will differently in each state and territory. In some jurisdictions, divorce will automatically render your will invalid, while in others, it will revoke your former spouse as executor or any gift left them. It is essential to review your will whenever there is a major change in your life, including marriage.

Marriage can result in a revoked or invalid will, unless it was made with the intention of the marriage. To prove this, the will must include a statement referencing the upcoming marriage and the name of the intended beneficiary. In some provinces and territories, a previous will is automatically revoked or cancelled unless it clearly states the intention to stay valid after the marriage. Beneficiary designation is crucial for minimizing estate administration costs. A will can only remain valid after marriage if written in anticipation of the marriage. If the intention is to take effect after marriage, the will will be valid. If a will is not made in anticipation of marriage, it will be invalid. Existing wills are automatically revoked when married, and if no new one is created, the law will determine the distribution of assets. If a will is valid up until the date of the marriage, it remains valid.


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What type of will is best for married couples?

To change a will, both partners must agree. After one spouse dies, the surviving spouse can’t change the will. Estate attorneys recommend making mirror wills instead of joint wills because they are more flexible.

Does a wife inherit her husband’s estate?

Only about a third of states have laws saying that if someone dies, their assets go to their spouse. In the other states, the surviving spouse may inherit between one-third and one-half of the assets, with the rest going to surviving children. We’re making improvements to better serve you. Log in after 8 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 5. Merrill Edge™ is a service from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) that offers investment guidance or self-directed online investing. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC.

Can husband leave wife out of will
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Does a spouse automatically inherit everything in Florida?

Do spouses in Florida automatically inherit? Do surviving spouses automatically get an inheritance in Florida? The answer isn’t simple. There are important factors to consider. In Florida, a spouse doesn’t automatically inherit everything upon the death of their partner. If the deceased had a will, it determines how their assets are distributed. If a will says how to divide assets, follow it. If there is no will, Florida’s laws of intestate succession apply. These laws say how assets are distributed among family members when someone dies without a will. The surviving spouse may get part of the estate, but it depends on other things, like whether the couple had children.

Intestate Succession: What Happens Without a Will? If someone dies without a will in Florida, their estate is subject to intestate succession. The state decides how the deceased person’s assets will be distributed among their heirs. This process can be complex and may not align with the deceased person’s wishes. Only certain family members are considered heirs under intestate succession laws. This includes spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Who gets what depends on who survives the deceased person and in what order. Without a will, you cannot control who gets your assets after death. This can lead to arguments among family members and relatives you don’t want to inherit getting parts of your estate. It shows why you should make a plan for your estate to protect your loved ones.

Election for Surviving Spouses. When a spouse dies in Florida, the surviving spouse often has to decide what to do with the deceased spouse’s property. One option is the tenant-in-common election. This lets them keep some of the couple’s real estate as tenants in common. With this election, the surviving spouse becomes a tenant in common with other owners, like children or relatives. They then have an undivided interest and can pass it on through their will or trust. By making a tenant-in-common election, surviving spouses have more control over how their share of the property is distributed. Seek guidance from an experienced attorney to ensure this process is carried out correctly.

Making a will after marriage
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Does marriage override a will in Florida?

If you marry after making a will and your spouse survives you, you will receive the same share in your spouse’s estate as you would have received if your spouse had died without a will. There are exceptions.

Surviving Spouse Rights in Florida. In Florida, a surviving spouse can get the deceased’s property even if there is no will. If you need to know what happens to property when someone dies without a will in another state, speak with a probate lawyer. Does a spouse automatically inherit everything in Florida? No, Florida law says a surviving spouse can get some (not all) of a decedent’s property. In Florida, surviving spouses automatically inherit property titled jointly or as tenants by the entirety. These assets are not probated.

Florida Surviving Spouse’s Rights: Intestate share. If a spouse dies without a will or with a will that doesn’t include the surviving spouse, Florida law defines the surviving spouse’s share.

Can a married couple have the same will?

What is a joint will? A joint will is a will for two people, often a married couple. It is a last will and testament for both. A joint will has specific rules, often stated in the will itself. These rules say that after the first spouse dies, the surviving spouse gets the whole estate. When the second spouse dies, the estate usually goes to the couple’s children. Couples often think a joint will is easier and cheaper than two separate wills because they want the same things anyway. Unfortunately, courts and some states don’t always agree with joint wills for married couples. This can make things difficult for the surviving spouse.

Do it yourself mirror will?

Mirror Wills are two wills made by spouses or partners, in which they leave most of their property to each other. This Lawpack helps couples make legally valid Mirror Wills easily and inexpensively.

Does a spouse override a will
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Does marriage override a will in New York?

In New York, marriage can override a will. New York law lets spouses have rights that can override what’s in a deceased person’s will. For example, if a spouse isn’t provided for in the will. They can also ask the court to change the will and get more from their partner’s estate. Other conditions can also give a spouse rights that exceed those in a will. This is especially true if there are lenders or other claims against an estate. New York residents should understand how marriage and wills work together. So they can make sure their wishes are carried out after they die.

Will Attorneys. Attorneys have always played a big part in the prison system. They share their knowledge to ensure fairness and justice. We can help attorneys make better decisions for their clients. We can also help attorneys work more efficiently, saving time and money while still providing great service to their clients. Attorneys will still be important in the future and are part of our criminal justice system. We offer customizable estate planning options for individuals and families. The company offers a simple way to create a property sketch with skilled attorneys on staff. Without having to make multiple appointments with different attorneys. They know estate planning can be complicated and help customers with things like wills, trusts, and probate. They use their knowledge of estate law and the latest technology to offer a wide range of options. Options that meet all their clients’ needs.

Will in contemplation of marriage
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Can my wife take my inheritance in a divorce Texas?

When marriages end, people worry about child custody and support. The second most important concern is dividing property and money. In Texas, most assets are split equally. If you receive something by gift, inheritance, or other means, it is separate property and not subject to division in a divorce. Your spouse may try to claim part of your inheritance. Speak with an experienced family law attorney about protecting your inheritance in case of divorce. You can take legal action to protect what is rightfully yours.

Community vs. Separate Property in Texas. Texas is a community property state. Everything you and your spouse own will be divided in a divorce. This doesn’t mean it will be split 50/50. It will be split in a way the judge thinks is fair. Most assets and liabilities are considered community property, including vehicles, houses, land, bank and retirement accounts, furniture, and businesses. It’s important to identify and legally declare an asset as separate property to keep what you brought into the marriage and what you inherited during the marriage.

Does marriage invalidate a will in the USA?

In the US, getting married can make your will invalid. Let’s say your will left everything to your child from your first marriage. You remarry and die before updating your will. Your state’s laws will decide what happens next.

When does a will become void
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When someone is married against their will?

What is forced marriage? Forced marriage is when one or both partners are forced to marry. This can happen to anyone. Young people are often forced into marriage by their parents, family members, or community. Forced marriage is domestic violence.

Measures against forced marriage. The action plan (in Dutch) outlines ways to prevent, identify, and combat forced marriage. This plan is part of the Violence has no place in the home program.

Legislation to prevent forced marriage. The Forced Marriage (Prevention) Act makes it harder to force people in the Netherlands to marry against their will. Here are the main points of the Act.

Does marriage override a will in Texas?

Texas doesn’t have a pretermitted spouse law. In Texas, marriage does not invalidate a valid will. If you make a will before you get married and want your new spouse to benefit, you must update it. Spouses in Texas have certain constitutional rights. Read more for details. Can I leave my spouse nothing in Texas?

Is a will void after divorce
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Does divorce nullify a will in Florida?

A final judgment of dissolution of marriage voids any will or trust that affects the former spouse. The will or revocable trust is treated as if the former spouse died when the dissolution judgment was entered.

• Life Insurance Policy, Annuity, and Individual Retirement Account or Other Qualified Plan — People hold wealth in a life insurance policy, annuity, IRA, deferred compensation plan, or qualified retirement plan. An annuity is a guaranteed payment over time to the person named in the contract until they die or a set date. When the annuitant dies, the company pays the proceeds or annuity payments to the beneficiary on the contract. Spouses can change their annuity beneficiary during marriage. Similarly, life insurance and IRA benefits pay according to the owner’s beneficiary designation if the owner dies. Spouses can change their IRA beneficiary during marriage. After filing for divorce, spouses can no longer change the beneficiary of their life insurance or annuity. A beneficiary designation of a life insurance or annuity policy is not affected by a dissolution action. In 2012, the Florida Legislature passed a law to address how divorce, dissolution, or marriage invalidity affects the distribution of these assets at death. A beneficiary designation made before a final dissolution to a former spouse is void when the marriage is dissolved.This default statute applies to life insurance, annuities, employee benefit plans, IRAs, pay-on-death accounts, and security or other accounts registered to transfer-on-death. It does not apply in certain situations, such as when the final judgment directs that benefits are to be payable to the decedent’s former spouse, when federal law provides otherwise, or in other specific circumstances. Upon entry of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, the beneficiary should be either re-designated or updated to reflect the parties’ marital settlement agreement (MSA). The MSA should identify each asset subject to a beneficiary designation, including who is to own it, who is to be the beneficiary, and whether the owner can name whomever they choose.


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Is Your Will Valid After Marriage
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Christina Kohler

As an enthusiastic wedding planner, my goal is to furnish couples with indelible recollections of their momentous occasion. After more than ten years of experience in the field, I ensure that each wedding I coordinate is unique and characterized by my meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and a personal touch. I delight in materializing aspirations, guaranteeing that every occasion is as singular and enchanted as the love narrative it commemorates. Together, we can transform your wedding day into an unforgettable occasion that you will always remember fondly.

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36 comments

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  • Paul, just saw your article. As a retired CPA with a long background in estate/tax planning, I find your common sense approach to estate planning both highly informative and refreshing. If you have done so already, I strongly encourage you to develop a portfolio of forms and instructions that the average person could read, evaluate, and adapt to their own situation. Your explanations and everyday language is the best I’ve heard for a normally intimidating subject. Good job…

  • Thank you so much. This is the family I have, 2 kids. I will copy your will Verbatim. My husband just passed away without a will. I thought when he was ill, he didn’t need one because our bank accounts are joint, our house is under both our names. We didn’t think about his vehicle which is under his name only. We were busy with his treatment and one of his wishes is not to sell the vehicle. When he passed away, I thought changing ownership during registration won’t be a problem since I only needed to show the death certificate, that was what I thought. One of the registries (I am in Canada) denied my request and said I needed a will. That was when the problem started to really stress me out. Now I am going to make my own Will so that my children won’t have the same problem when it’s time for me to go. Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help and your unselfishness. Written will is accepted here in Alberta.

  • As a Certified Financial Planner, specializing in Tax Laws and working with several Estate Planning Attorneys in my area, I am so impressed by the clarity and simple delivery of your article. On several occasions, we’ve held free public seminars to give overviews to those who need a will, but would never seek one because of the cost. This simpler approach would work well as an outline and incentive to, at least, take action, as you said. Thank you so much!

  • My father is 92 yrs. old and he said he never made out a will so the other day we sat down and wrote out a will pretty close to what you just did. He can’t hardly write anymore so he told me what to put down. It is just me and him and he said he wanted me to have everything. The house his old car and what little he has in his bank account. We did go to the bank and signed papers so I could have access to his checking and savings account so I could write checks to pay his bills because he could not do that anymore. I have been his caregiver for the last 6 years. Here in Texas we don’t know if it’s legal to do so but we did it anyway just in case and we both signed it. I as a witness. Thank you for this article and hope we did the right thing.

  • Paul, I am sooo grateful to hear your explanation of simple written wills. I am in the process of writing a ‘self proving’ will and get it notarized with 2 witnesses. I am one of the ones who Absolutely Refuses to pay a lawyer thousands for Simple issues. Done that…but No More. My children have passed away, and one was special needs. I rent an apt. now and only have listed beneficiaries for monetary issues (ie, IRA, mutual funds etc.). I even went for ‘free consultations from lawyers….sure IF you go with Them, Only is it free. Can’t thank you enough for confirming my belief in ‘doing it yourself’. You’re really a confidence booster!

  • I’m in California and a single friend of mine had only a home And personal possessions….I told her to write a will on paper. She said she wanted her niece to have it all. Never wrote it down. Passed away and niece got nothing….friends cousin whom she didn’t like got it all. County officer said if she had written something it would have helped 😁

  • Paul, I think a PDF form to follow is a great idea! I am single on a small pension here in California. I have two properties along with some tools and equipment that I would like to leave to my neighbors. I pretty much live paycheck-to-paycheck, so there isn’t anything complicated financially. It seems to me that my estate is pretty much straight forward, and I can’t see why I need to spend over $1000 just to get my property transferred over upon my death.

  • What would be great is a checklist that one could check off to figure out if a simple will is enough, or an estate will type would be a better choice. Also information on contesting wills, I heard you have to mention immediate family in your wills so they cant contest a will. Just a thought but the check list would be a great idea for young families just starting out and deciding on a will for the first time.

  • Definitely interested in a form will with article instructions. As a single 58 year old mom with 2 adult kids, I just have a home and a car that I don’t want the state taking possession of. Covid 19 has put writing a will and/or trust on my mind and I’d really like to get it done soon at a reasonable price. A few years ago an attorney quoted me $3300 and he would not budge on the price. I look forward to more info from you. Thanks!

  • Thank you so very much for demystifying the task for those of us who only require a fuss free will because we own no yachts, stocks, bonds, gold bullion, diamonds, furs, summer home, winter home or anything else of material worth. And may I add that at times such as these I’m very happy and thankful for my simple, penniless life.

  • Thank you Paul for being willing to help individuals that would like to draw up their own will. We do not have very much to leave anyone and are Seniors who don’t have extra money to hire an attorney. We live in Texas and are allowed to leave a handwritten will. We would love some forms, or other information that we could download so we could write our own wills. Thank you so much. God bless you.

  • Paul, keep up the great service you provide, as many people worldwide have and will continue to find it very useful and helpful for there lives and family. As a business owner many family ask for such advice and now able to forward your articles to help with there Unigue situation. Thank you, from my island and US Territory of Guam

  • Thank you Paul for your educational articles and real-life examples which makes it easier to understand the complex concept of creating a trust. I absolutely appreciate and support your suggestion to provide forms and drafts to your viewers so they can at least consider drafting their own will if their situation is simple enough to use your material. I believe one of the main reasons for a lot of people do not to have a will or trust is the cost of an attorney and also not understanding the complex legal language spoken by many attorneys which is time-consuming and expensive. Again thank you for a public service and keep up the good work.

  • I guess for the State of Louisiana this kind of Will can be valid, but in States as rigid and controlling as New York, cannot be validated as mentioned. You must have two witnesses signing and dating the document, but if its a larger Estate (over 50,000 dollars) then the Will has to be Probated in Surrogate Court, and Executor/Administrator appointed. There is an exception though, a Trust can be set up, Revocable or Irrevocable. For New York inhabitants I would recommend to get an Estate Planning Attorney to avoid painful and very costly surprises. NY is another World. Great vid, thanks for the info. Cheers

  • This article is very easy to follow. A website is a great idea! Adding to what you just demonstrated with a number of common variations (but not too involved) would be useful. Also, a list of states that allow holographic wills. Links on unfamiliar & legal terms for definitions would also be helpful, like a popup when clicking on the word or a glossary page.

  • Thank you for making this article. Some of my friends have been meaning to make a will but haven’t gotten around to it. They have desires that would not be met intestate. So learning how to make a will in handwriting is so helpful. Being from California, it’s another state that allows handwritten Wills. California offers an online will, however it requires Witnesses which can’t be brought together during our current situation.

  • Thank you Paul. It truly is a peace of mind knowing I just followed your example and shared it with my brother, then filed it in my safe. I do plan to have an in-depth will created later, but here we are, March 2020, and Coronavirus is in our area. We must believe it will all work out and the COVID-19 will be extinguished quickly. But your instruction sure made me feel better. Thanks again. Be safe.

  • Just found your article and website. How wonderful that you explain everything so wonderfully simple. My husband and I went to and attorney in the Fall of 2019, she charged us $200.00 for an office visit. Collected information, stated she would get back with us, the Pandemic happened, and we never heard back from her. Everything was so complicated when she explained everything. We will definitely look over your website and information. Thank you and God Bless.

  • I was looking online for a to-do list, a simple form of instruction to start a folder. I just needed a kick start to get my things/assets in order. As I was searching online, I ran into so many that wanted to sell me a KIT or help me along for a fee. Your “how to write a valid will in 4 minutes” helped. I’ll start here. Thanks much

  • Thank you…thank you…thank you….you have been honest and generous with your knowledge. We are going to do this. We went to a law firm and the their propsed fee was in the thousands. Went locally to an another very nice attorney but did not follow what we specifically stated and Gain fee in the thousands… we will do our own. Thank you!!! God Bless you and your family.

  • THANK YOU so much. I am a senior citizen (70 yo.) and live only on my Social Security (around $1000). If my state allows oleographic wills, this will be the way I will proceed in writing up my will. I am so glad your website popped up on my screen today, as I have been deeply concerned about NOT being able to afford a lawyer. Blessings to you and your family.

  • I also sent the original will to myself via Certified Mail. I also sent a copy to my kids via Certified Mail with my address, I wrote on the back of each envelope To be opened by the court if need be then taped over it. I also have another copy so they can read it as well. I was more extensive in my will including not only my personal property but all of my copyrights and licensing agreements, etc. In Cali we have the same thing, a written will is admissible. I actually like this because it is my very own handwriting which can be compared to my writing in my journals. I do enjoy your article and saved it because there was helpful information I can use in the future if need be, saved it. Blessings to you. Amen.

  • My husband and I are in our early 70’s and live in San Francisco, California. You are so right about the stress of not having a will! We own a home (have a mortgage) and have three grown sons. A SF law firm wants $4000 to help us with our estate planning. Yikes. Please advise our course of action at this point. Thanks! Candace & Gary

  • I’m perusal your articles trying to pull out what applies to my own situation…which is complex. I recently had a 2-hour consultation with an attorney in which I presented my 92-year-old mother’s (with dementia) handwritten will. I know how she meant dispersion to be done. So I was blindsighted by the lawyers’s interpretation of her wording. So now I am gun-shy about anything I write in my own will because it seems from this experience as though it is all open to an attorney or judge’s interpretation. Is this pretty much true?

  • Great idea! That is an underserved niche, especially in Louisiana. There should be an option between do-it-yourself oligraphy and comprehensive estate planning. Suggestion: provide some assurance about what the costs might be should an executor need additional assistance if things don’t go as smoothly as hoped. Maybe a supplemental fee for a retainer or guarantee for peace of mind.

  • Thank you and yes for the idea of making templates and articles available! And please include spouses that are child free with no family member in the state they reside and siblings out of state and/ or in Canada even though the couple resides south east USA. With gratitude for informing the general public!

  • Paul, I commend you for sharing this info which can have on such a positive effect on so many people. You did not mention if the final signature had to be notorized. That may vary state to state. I am going to to check right now if my state of Texas accepts holographic wills as valid. Thx for the info .

  • Paul, I just found you. Thank you for this information. Our circumstances fit this perfectly. I would really like a platform with the various things you spoke of. I am about to become a widow and absolutely cannot afford an attorney at this time. I am in Texas so will have to find out a few things that would apply here but you are so right about laying awake at night. We had a will from another state that applied to the home and life there but nothing here yet. Thank you so much.

  • Thank you for this informative article. Being from La., myself, I understood that the surviving spouse automatically receives the deceased spouse’s ppty, unless there’s a will that supercedes that law(?) But, I’ve been told that the spouse & children are to divide the estate up, when the spouse dies. (I think I’ve seen that in old wills from VA). I’m thinking that if this info in your article is legal in your state, it’s definately worth doing as you’ve shown & should be done asap! Thank you!

  • Do you find when a parent who has a will and leaves everything to their children, do you usually see that if one adult child passes before the parent, that the remaining siblings inherent the deceased siblings share or is it passed to the deceased is children/grandchildren ? I understand it depends on the wording of the will. I am just wondering what do you usually see?

  • That’s not a valid will without two witnesses who witnessed your signature. Not only that, but when you present it to the estate court they will require the two witnesses to 1:) show up in court to swear they signed it or 2) the court will send affidavits to the two witnesses and tell them to get them notarized.

  • Thank you for addressing an issue that has been on my mind. Is it necessary to handwrite or is typewritten acceptable (computer)? My state of origin and last address would be different but I now live abroad. In this part of the EU, the rules are different but by maintaining my American citizenship, disbursement is bound by the rules there. I’m afraid that I have as many questions as I did before perusal the article.

  • Thank you for a great tutorial on this subject. I am a Virginia resident along with my wife of 19 years. We need to do a will exactly as you discussed with 4 grown children. Would this need to be notarized or witnessed by other parties for extra protection? I would certainly appreciate your input or help.

  • Yes, a website as you described would be very useful. I’m in California — can I do an oleographic will? I have one child, divorced, majority of assets in stock. In good health, but obviously I need to get this done. Thank you so much — I’ve thought about writing something up, so now’s the time to do something. Thanks so much. The YouTube algorithm recommended this article from some long-ago search I did regarding LLC’s.

  • Yes Paul that would be great if u can do a pdf form to help us ordinary folks who can’t afford to go to a lawyer to create a valid will. One question I have is with this simple holographic will u showed us. What is the tax ramification of it. Do they have to go thru probate in case we leave our properties to my son. Which one is better in term of avoiding taxes . Revocable living trust or this simple will. Thank u so much for what u are doing. Pls keep on educating the public with ur kindness . I’ve seen so much lawyer that all they care is $$$. God bless u!

  • Thank you, Paul, very much. So generous of you. I don’t have much money and cannot afford a lawyer. My state of CA allows holographic wills (written by self). I am not sure if it needs to be in my own handwriting or not. I need to check. I hate writing by hand. Typing is faster. I would be happy to support you in buying a ready made kit for Wills and other documents valid by State. I’m in CA but may reside in FL later. fyi – you have a typo in your text: HOLOGRAPHIC, not OLOGRAPHIC.