Newly discovered children how affects will

[Cainlord]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? TX

In general how are newly discovered children addressed in a will of a parent who has not specifically excluded them? Would a claim by these children force a paternity test?

 

[FlyingRon]

Depends on how the will is written. If it says I leave things to "my children" without naming them, then proper issue of the testator are included even if they were not known to the testator at the time.

If he names specific children in the will, they do not have a claim.

This is assuming that the deceased was residing in Texas *or* the children aren't minors.

 

[nextwife]

Is paternity legally established, or only now claimed?

 

[Cainlord]

Assume paternity has not been legally established prior to reading of will but parent ackowledges in his letters his paternity. Children willing to establish paternity as well.