Revocation

Revocation is how a Will is legally cancelled. It can happen deliberately — by making a new Will, by a written declaration, or by physically destroying the document with intent to revoke — or automatically by operation of law. The most important automatic trigger is marriage: in every Australian state and territory, marriage revokes an existing Will unless it was made in contemplation of marriage (in South Australia, entering a registered relationship has the same effect).

A new Will almost always begins with an express revocation clause cancelling all earlier Wills and codicils. Example: "I revoke all former Wills and testamentary dispositions made by me." Divorce (or annulment) also revokes any gift to, and appointment of, a former spouse in every Australian jurisdiction, though the precise effect varies. Since South Australia's Succession Act 2023 commenced, marriage revokes a Will in every state and territory — the old South Australian exception no longer applies.