Does my mother need to update her will after moving to Colorado?

Full question:

My mother moved to Colorado a few years ago. The will she made years ago with my dad (now deceased) was made in Missouri. Does she need to make a new will now that she is in Colorado? She does not wish to make any changes in the provisions of the will that were made previously.

Answer:

In Colorado, a written will is valid if it meets certain requirements. According to Colorado law, a will is valid if it was executed according to Colorado statutes or the laws of the state where it was created, as long as it complies with the law of the testator's domicile at the time of execution or death (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-506).

Additionally, a will can be valid as an international will, which does not depend on where it was made or the testator's nationality or residence (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-1003). If your mother’s will was valid under Missouri law when it was created, it should still be valid in Colorado as long as it meets these requirements.

Therefore, unless your mother wishes to change the provisions of the will, she does not need to create a new will simply because she has moved to Colorado.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

When a person dies without a will in Colorado, their estate is distributed according to the state's intestacy laws. Generally, the spouse and children are the primary heirs. If there is no spouse or children, the estate may go to parents, siblings, or more distant relatives. If no relatives can be found, the estate may escheat to the state. It's important to consult Colorado's intestacy statutes for specific distribution rules (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 15-11-101). *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*