Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 112.285 (2026)

Express revocation or alteration; partial revocation not valid

✓ current as of May 2026
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      112.285 Express revocation or alteration; partial revocation not valid. (1) A will may be revoked or altered by another will.

      (2) A will may be revoked by one or more physical acts by being burned, torn, canceled, obliterated or destroyed, with the intent and purpose of the testator of revoking the will, by the testator, or by another person at the direction of the testator and in the presence of the testator. The injury or destruction of the will by a person other than the testator at the direction and in the presence of the testator shall be proved by at least two witnesses.

      (3) A partial revocation of a provision in a will by one or more physical acts as described in subsection (2) of this section is not a valid revocation. One or more physical acts that affect one or more provisions of a will but not the entirety of the will are not effective to revoke those provisions, but clear and convincing evidence may show that the testator intended by the physical act or acts to revoke the entirety of the will. [1969 c.591 §42; 2015 c.387 §15]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1974–2003 · leading case: Johnstone v. Zimmer, 81 P.3d 92 (Or. Ct. App. 2003).
Johnstone v. Zimmer, 81 P.3d 92 (Or. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 3× “275 provides that “[a] will may be revoked or altered only as provided in ORS 112.285 to 112.315.” Only ORS 112.285 is applicable to the facts of this case.”
Allen v. Hall, 974 P.2d 199 (Or. 1999). “The legislature’s intent to occupy the field in that manner is evident, defendants contend, from the fact that the probate code limits and explicitly enumerates the permissible bases for challenging a will.”
Davis v. Howard, 527 P.2d 422 (Or. Ct. App. 1974). “ORS 112.285 is the pertinent statute and provides: “(1) A will may be revoked or altered by another will.”
Brune v. Oregon State Bd. of Higher Educ., 606 P.2d 647 (Or. Ct. App. 1980). “What is sometimes known as revocation by mutilation is provided in ORS 112.285(2): "A will may be revoked by being burned, torn, canceled, obliterated or destroyed, with the intent.”
Wood v. Bettis, 880 P.2d 961 (Or. Ct. App. 1994). “Immediately after Schwartz’ interview with Cooper, she returned to the attorney’s office where she was employed and made a memorandum of the visit.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 112.285(1) — 1 case
Allen v. Hall, 974 P.2d 199 (Or. 1999). “The legislature’s intent to occupy the field in that manner is evident, defendants contend, from the fact that the probate code limits and explicitly enumerates the permissible bases for challenging a will.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 112.285(2) — 1 case
Brune v. Oregon State Bd. of Higher Educ., 606 P.2d 647 (Or. Ct. App. 1980). “What is sometimes known as revocation by mutilation is provided in ORS 112.285(2): "A will may be revoked by being burned, torn, canceled, obliterated or destroyed, with the intent.”
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