New York wills are comprised of various clauses and parts that are all required to clearly state someone’s wishes after they pass. It might be confusing to understand all the different parts of a last will and testament, but most are relatively straightforward.
What is an exordium clause in a last will and testament?
The exordium clause is the beginning or opening part of a will. This part of the will includes relevant information, such as:
- Name of the person writing the will
- Place of residence
- Revocation of previous wills
- A declaration that the current will belongs to them
These parts are the mandatory parts of an exordium clause, but this part of the will might also address beneficiaries. This is also the part of the will that states the person writing the will is of sound body and mind.
What’s a revocation of previous wills?
Exordium clauses will often include revocation of previous wills. This is a statement that says any previous versions of their will are now invalid.
Last wills are usually marked with the state in which it was written and validated. The revocation statement clarifies that any other wills written before that date should be ignored, but if another will is found with a more current date that would be the version that is followed.
Why is an exordium clause important?
The exordium clause is mandatory for most last wills and testaments for the will to be considered valid. This part of the will clarifies who wrote the will when they wrote the will and where the will is valid.
It’s important to have a very clear exordium clause to avoid confusion amongst your beneficiaries and family members when you pass. If you have any questions about how to write an exordium clause, reach out to a legal team.