---
title: "Check whether a later document or act revoked the will"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-later-document-or-act-revoked-the-will"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A17-SF20261022-10"
practice_area: "Wills, Estates, Probate & Succession"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check whether a later document or act revoked the will

> From the will file, list each later will, each writing that says it revokes an earlier will, and any physical change to the original, with the date. The tool does not say the will is revoked.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-later-document-or-act-revoked-the-will  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Wills, Estates, Probate & Succession](https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the will file, list each later will, each writing that says it revokes an earlier will, and any physical change to the original, with the date. The tool does not say the will is revoked. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides what, if anything, was revoked. Section 11 of the Succession Act 2006 says the whole or any part of a will may be revoked only by an order under section 16 or 18, by section 12 or 13, by a later will, by a writing declaring an intention to revoke it and executed in the manner a will must be executed, by burning, tearing or otherwise destroying it with the intention of revoking it, by the testator or by a person in the testator's presence and by the testator's direction, or by writing on it or dealing with it so that the Court is satisfied from its state that the testator intended to revoke it. No will or part is revoked by a presumption from a change in circumstances. Sections 16 and 18 were not opened. Sections 12 and 13 are the marriage and divorce checks already on the file and are not redone here. Only section 11 was opened for this list. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Trace relied-on content to independent sources and check for relevant material the output has missed.

- What the AI does: From the will file, list each later will, each writing that says it revokes an earlier will, and any physical change to the original, with the date. The tool does not say the will is revoked.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer decides what, if anything, was revoked. Section 11 of the Succession Act 2006 says the whole or any part of a will may be revoked only by an order under section 16 or 18, by section 12 or 13, by a later will, by a writing declaring an intention to revoke it and executed in the manner a will must be executed, by burning, tearing or otherwise destroying it with the intention of revoking it, by the testator or by a person in the testator's presence and by the testator's direction, or by writing on it or dealing with it so that the Court is satisfied from its state that the testator intended to revoke it. No will or part is revoked by a presumption from a change in circumstances. Sections 16 and 18 were not opened. Sections 12 and 13 are the marriage and divorce checks already on the file and are not redone here. Only section 11 was opened for this list.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Do not treat a later document as revoking the will unless it is itself a will or a writing executed as a will must be executed.
2. Do not infer revocation from a marriage, a divorce, or any other change in circumstances. Those are other sections.
3. For damage to the paper, record who did it and whether the intention was to revoke. Do not assume the intention from the damage alone.
4. Do not apply an order under section 16 or 18 until that section has been read.

## Notes

- These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Sources

- [Succession Act 2006 (NSW) section 11](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sa2006138/s11.html) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/practice/wills-estates-probate-and-succession/check-whether-a-later-document-or-act-revoked-the-will/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*