Acts of independent significance

The law of wills and trusts
Part of the common law series
Inheritance
Intestacy  · Testator  · Probate
Power of appointment
Simultaneous death  · Slayer rule
Disclaimer of interest
Types of will
Holographic will  · Will contract
Living will
Joint wills and mutual wills
Parts of a will
Codicil  · Attestation clause
Incorporation by reference
Residuary clause
Problems of property disposition
Lapse and anti-lapse
Ademption  · Abatement
Acts of independent significance
Elective share  · Pretermitted heir
Contesting a will
Testamentary capacity  · Undue influence
Types of Trusts
Express trust  · Asset-protection trust
Protective trust  · Spendthrift trust
Charitable trust  · Honorary trust
Resulting trust  · Constructive trust
Special Needs trust
Doctrines governing trusts
Pour-over will  · Cy pres doctrine
Other areas of the common law
Contract law  · Tort law  · Property law
Criminal law  · Evidence

The doctrine of acts of independent significance, in the common law of wills, permits the testator to effectively change the disposition of her property without changed her will, if acts or events with relation to the property itself have some significance beyond avoiding the requirements of the will.

The doctrine is most frequently applied in two circumstance:

1. The testator devises property to a class of beneficiaries where the testator controls membership of the class. For example, Joey leaves the contents of his bank account "to my employees". If Joey then fires some of his old employees and hires new ones, the new employees will inherit the contents of the bank account under this provision.
2. The testator devises general categories or types of property, and then changes the specific items of property within that category or type. For example, Joey writes in his will, "I leave my car to Rachel". At the time of the writing, Joey drives a 1974 AMC Gremlin; however, Joey later sells the Gremlin and purchases a Rolls Royce. Because the purpose for switching vehicles is to provide Joey with a more comfortable ride, and not to change the will without going through the appropriate testamentary formalities, the gift to Rachel remains enforceable.