How does the clerk verify that a will has not been revoked by subsequent instruments?

• A. By reviewing the original will and any codicils; if doubt exists, refer to the court.
• B. By assuming the most recent instrument revoked earlier wills without review.
• C. By reviewing the original will, codicils, and any superseding documents; if doubt arises, refer to the court.
• D. By relying solely on dates without reviewing instruments.

Answer: (C)

To determine whether a will has been revoked by later instruments, the clerk must check the full trail of documents that could affect the will’s validity. This means reviewing the original will, any codicils, and any later instruments that could revoke or supersede it. Only by examining all relevant writings can you confirm whether the prior will remains in effect or has been revoked or altered.

If after reviewing there’s any doubt about the status, the prudent step is to refer the matter to the court for determination. Relying solely on dates or assuming that a newer instrument automatically revokes earlier ones without examining the actual language can lead to mistakes, and focusing only on the original will or on codicils alone can miss a later revocation. The comprehensive approach—original will, codicils, and any superseding documents—ensures an accurate assessment.