What does it mean if a will is contested?

When a will is contested, it means that there are challenges or disputes regarding its validity. Contesting a will typically occurs when an individual believes that the document does not reflect the true intentions of the deceased, or there are concerns about how the will was executed. Such concerns may include doubts about the mental capacity of the testator at the time the will was created, whether the proper legal formalities were followed, or if there was undue influence or fraud involved in its preparation.

In this context, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of contesting a will. The rewriting of a will by the executor suggests an administrative function rather than a legal challenge. Filing a will in probate court is a procedural step taken to validate the will, not a reflection of any contestation of its terms. Lastly, the notion that a will can be changed at any time by beneficiaries misunderstands the nature of a will; beneficiaries cannot unilaterally alter a will, as it is a legal document that expresses the wishes of the testator at the time of their death. Thus, questioning its validity is the correct interpretation of a contested will.