In India, the validity of a Will is governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925, a Will can be considered invalid or void under certain circumstances. Given are some common reasons that can render a Will of those who are governed by the Indian Succession Act, invalid or void in India.
1. Not Attested: a Will is required to be attested atleast by two witnesses. In a famous case of Narinder Singh Rao, his father died leaving a piece of paper which was attested only by one witness, stating that upon the death of himself or his wife the survivor could inherit all the estate. The Supreme Court termed the Will invalid as it was not attested by two witnesses.
2. Did not destroy previous Will: It is crucial to destroy all the copies of previous Wills when you create a new one or to mention in a new Will that "I do hereby cancel all my previous wills and declare this as my Last Will and testament".
3. Remains unsigned by the Testator: A Will may have all the valid components but if it is not signed by the person who is making it, it becomes null and void.
4. Testator is of unsound mind or minor: A person who is not in the right frame of sound mind is not competent enough to decide how to bequeath his/her property. Similarly a minor is also in no position to take an informed decision.
5. Will obtained by fraud, coercion or importunity: A Will or any part of a Will, the making of which has been caused by fraud or coercion or by such importunity as takes away the free agency of the Testator, is void.