A will that contains a condition that must be satisfied before the will takes effect or before certain gifts are distributed. If the condition is not met, the will or conditional gift fails. Courts interpret conditions strictly.
A will that only works if something specific happens. Like "This will only applies if I die during my surgery" or "My son gets the house only if he's married." If the condition isn't met, the will doesn't work.
⏱ When you'll encounter this term
- Making a will before surgery or dangerous travel
- Adding conditions to gifts ("only if they graduate")
- Temporary wills for specific circumstances
- Disputes about whether a condition was met
- Interpreting unclear will provisions
"Granddad's conditional will said my brother only gets the farm if he's still farming when Granddad dies. He sold the farm last year, so he gets nothing."
💡 Did you know?
Conditional wills are risky because conditions can be unclear or impossible to verify. Most lawyers advise against them except in very specific temporary situations, like before surgery.