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Heritage Tree LogoShould I Contest a Will in Pennsylvania? | What to Know

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If you would like to contest a will, it is important to learn about your options. Continue reading and reach out to our firm today to speak with a skilled Butler County will preparation attorney.

Why might I contest a will?

There are a number of reasons why an individual may choose to contest a will. For instance, a person may contest a will if he or she believes there is an issue with the validity of the will, they did not get a fair share, etc. A will can be contested by the executor of the will, any heirs, spouses, creditors, or anyone else with a property right or claim against the estate. Some of the most common reasons why a will would be found invalid includes the following:

  • If fraud or forgery took place
  • If the will was not executed properly
  • If it was created under the influence of another party
  • If the deceased was not mentally competent when writing the will

What is a valid will?

A valid will must meet several requirements. They include the following:

  • The testator must be at least 18 years old and of “sound mind and memory”
  • The testator must either sign the will themselves or another person must sign the testator’s name at their direction and in their sight
  • At least two people must witness the signature and sign their names on the will within 30 days of each other
  • At some point during the will’s execution and attestation, the testator must tell each witness that the document is their will

Do not wait to reach out to our firm today if you have questions about whether or not a will is valid. Our legal team is here to help.

Is will a court do with an invalid will?

If a court considers a will invalid, it will most likely be thrown out. If there is no other will, the deceased individual’s assets will be passed on through the Pennsylvania succession plan.

It is in your best interest to reach out to our firm today to speak with an experienced estate planning attorney about possibly contesting a will. Our legal team recognizes that after losing a loved one, litigation is the last thing you would want to go through. That is why you should reach out to our firm to discuss your options. Our attorneys are committed to ensuring that your estate planning needs are taken care of.

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Whether you are dealing with matters involving estate planning, estate administration, or elder law, you need a legal team that you can feel confident will represent your best interests, every step of the way. We are that legal team. Contact Heritage Elder Law & Estate Planning today so we can get started.

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