A contract to make a will or devise, or not to revoke a will or devise, or to die intestate, if executed on or after July 1, 1995, may be established only by (i) provisions of a will stating material provisions of the contract, (ii) an express reference in a will to a contract and extrinsic evidence proving the terms of the contract, or (iii) a writing signed by the decedent evidencing the contract. The execution of a joint will or mutual wills does not create a presumption of a contract not to revoke the will or wills.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 29A-2-514

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.

Source: SL 1995, ch 167, § 2-514.