dependent relative revocation
dependent relative revocation. A common-law doctrine that operates to undo an otherwise sufficient revocation of a will when there is evidence that the testator’s revocation was conditional rather than absolute. • Typically, the doctrine applies when a testator has physically revoked the will and believes that a new will is valid, although this belief is mistaken. The doctrine undoes only the revocation; it does not always accomplish the testator’s intent or validate an otherwise invalid will. — Also termed dependent-relative-revocation doctrine; conditional revocation; mistakenly induced revocation; ineffective revocation; doctrine of ineffective revocation. [Cases: Wills 167–195. C.J.S. Wills §§ 386–428, 1621, 2026, 2030, 2036, 2039–2046, 2057–2062.]
