Abstract
Revocation is fundamental to the attainment of the goals of testamentary disposition. The element of revocation in Wills makes testamentary disposition a unique instrument for the disposition of testators’ estate as done by them. The phrase ‘last testamentary wishes’ attributed to Wills is earned through the process of revocation. Yet, the laws on Wills have no specific provisions on comprehensive revocation medium that will outlive testators, remain unaltered in substance and meet the essence of the law for its inclusion in Wills. The consequence is that Wills made by a testator to accommodate changes in his life may be given an interpretation that is different from his wish. This paper proposes the use of electronic medium to communicate and preserve physical and implied revocation of Wills as intended by testators. With the use of doctrinal research tools, the paper found that electronic medium aids the revocation of Wills without external manipulations. It recommends the use of technology in order to achieve seamless but valid update in Wills. The paper has affirmed that the intendment of the statutory provisions on Wills is better achieved where technology interfaces with the feature of revocation in Wills.
Authors: Lilian Ifeoma Nwabueze
