What happens to the previous will when a new will is executed without explicitly revoking the old one?

When a new will is executed, it generally operates under the principle of revocation by implication. Even if the new will does not contain an explicit statement revoking the previous will, the act of making a new will with the intention to create a fresh testamentary document typically indicates an intention to supersede the old will. This common law doctrine means that unless the new will explicitly states otherwise, it is assumed that the testator wishes to revoke any prior wills.

Thus, the previous will does not retain its validity once a new will has been made, streamlining the estate planning process and providing clarity on the testator’s intentions. This automatic revocation principle helps to prevent confusion and ensures that only the most recent expression of the testator's wishes is honored.