What if I have lost my will?
October 7, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Uwe Herrmann
Dear Estate Lawyer,
My name is Ella Koch and I have a question regarding my will. Some time ago, I drafted a will in which I outlined my last wishes. Unfortunately, I can no longer find the will and I am worried about what will happen if it is lost.
I understand that a will is an important legal document to ensure that my assets and possessions are distributed according to my wishes. The loss of my will is causing me great concern as I do not want my estate to be divided differently than I had planned in the event of my death.
Therefore, I would like to know what I can do in this situation. Are there ways to locate or replace a lost will? What steps do I need to take to ensure that my last wishes are still honored?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with information and advice on how to best proceed in this situation. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Ella Koch
Dear Mrs. Koch,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your lost will. It is understandable that you are concerned about what will happen to your estate if the will is no longer available. A will is an important document to ensure that your assets and possessions are distributed according to your wishes.
In fact, it is not uncommon for wills to be lost or no longer available. However, there are ways to ensure that your last wishes are still considered. Firstly, it is important to know that a lost will is not automatically invalid.
If you cannot find your will, there are various steps you can take to ensure that your last wishes are still considered. First, carefully search through all your documents and cabinets to make sure that the will is truly lost. It may be in an unexpected place or hidden in another document.
If you cannot find the will even after thorough searching, you have the option to draft a new will. A new will can replace the lost will and record your current wishes and instructions. It is important that the new will complies with all formal requirements to be valid. Therefore, I strongly recommend seeking advice from an experienced estate lawyer to ensure that the new will is legally valid.
Furthermore, you should also inform your heirs and close individuals about the loss of the will. It is important that they are aware of your wishes and instructions, even if the will is no longer available. This way, you can ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
Overall, it is possible to ensure that your last wishes are still considered even in the situation of a lost will. It is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to ensure that your assets and possessions are distributed according to your wishes.
I hope this information helps you. If you have any further questions or need legal advice, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Uwe Herrmann
Estate lawyer
