Changing or Revoking a Will

A testator may revoke a testament at any time, and that right cannot be given up. The whole testament is revoked when the testator:

• §La. C.C. art. 1606StatuteTestator's right of revocationOpens legis.la.gov ↗
• §La. C.C. art. 1607StatuteRevocation of entire testament by testatorOpens legis.la.gov ↗

• Physically destroys it, or has it destroyed at his direction.
• Declares the revocation in a testament form or an authentic act.
• Identifies and clearly revokes it in a writing entirely written and signed in his own hand.

• §La. C.C. art. 1607StatuteRevocation of entire testament by testatorOpens legis.la.gov ↗

A single legacy is revoked by a later incompatible one, by giving the thing away during life, or by a signed writing on the testament itself. A divorce after the testament revokes legacies to the former spouse, and naming the spouse to any role, unless the testament says otherwise. Any other change has to be made in a testament form.

• §La. C.C. art. 1608StatuteRevocation of a legacy or other testamentary provisionOpens legis.la.gov ↗
• §La. C.C. art. 1610StatuteOther modificationsOpens legis.la.gov ↗