Wills, Photocopy
When anything other than an original will
is offered for
probate, it is presumed that the
testator destroyed the original with the intent to revoke it. A
photocopy of an executed will is not accepted for probate before a hearing
with the Orphans' Court proves
that the testator did not intend to revoke the original will.
This hearing requires the will's
proponents to provide evidence showing why the original will cannot be
provided. The proponents must also prove when and where the original will
was executed.
See: Will Validity, Generally;
Will Contests, Generally;
Will Contests, Who May Contest
