Legal Definitions - devisavit vel non

Devisavit vel non

Devisavit vel non was a legal issue that arose when a will was contested in court. It was used to determine whether the will was valid or not. This issue was directed from a chancery court to a court of law. The court would investigate the allegations of fraud or testamentary incapacity and decide whether the will was valid or not.

For example, if a person's will was contested by their family members who claimed that the person was not of sound mind when they made the will, the court would issue a devisavit vel non to determine the validity of the will. The court would investigate the claims and decide whether the will was valid or not.