Most states have anti-lapse statutes. Black's Law Dictionary Sixth Edition defines 'anti-lapse statute' as legislation enacted in most jurisdictions to provide for the testamentary passing of property to heirs and next of kin of the designated legatee or devisee if he dies before the testator, thus preventing
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A will does not have to be "registered" for it to be valid. Filing it with the probate court in the county where the testator resides is for safeguarding purposes only. It is a good idea to ascertain whether there are wills that have been previously "registered" / filed, which should ideally be
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