How to Sign and Witness a Will

Your Will is not valid until the signing and witnessing requirements have been met. You must be mentally competent when you sign the Will, and in most states, you must meet a minimum age requirement of at least 18 years old.

Your signature to the Will must be witnessed by two other persons who are also required to sign the Will. Some states have restrictions on who can serve as witnesses. In many states, a witness cannot be a beneficiary of the estate. States have adopted these laws to prevent any conflict of interest from those who may be in line for gifts, or who may benefit from your death. Some states will allow for a beneficiary to act as a witness, but in doing so, that witness may lose some or all of the property that he or she would have inherited. Some states also place restrictions on whether or not your designated executor can act as a witness, so again, it's important to check with your sate.

If you think your Will might be contested by your heirs, you may need to get a doctor's note to prove that you were of sound mind when you wrote and signed your Will. This will reduce the chances of your Will being overturned in probate court.

In most states, your signature and the signatures of the witnesses need to be notarized.

Laws on this topic may vary from state to state. This content is not meant to provide you with complete information and it is not intended to be legal or tax advice. It is recommended that you consult with your own attorney, accountant or other advisor regarding your specific situation.