What happens to a will when a testator gets married after it has been executed?

When a testator marries after a will has been executed, the general rule is that marriage typically revokes any prior wills unless the will explicitly states that it is made in contemplation of marriage or includes a statement that it remains in effect regardless of any future marriage. This legal principle is designed to protect the rights of a surviving spouse, ensuring they have a claim to a share of the estate, which reflects the testator's possible intention to provide for their new spouse.

In most jurisdictions, marrying after executing a will will automatically lead to the revocation of that will unless there are specific provisions that state otherwise. This reflects an understanding that the testator may wish their estate to be distributed differently after entering a marriage.

In contrast, options suggesting that a will remains unaffected or can be amended verbally do not align with established legal principles regarding changes to a person’s marital status and their will. The fact that marriage can revoke a will underscores the importance of updating estate planning documents after significant life events, such as marriage.