Wills - Number of Witness Signatures

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

I understand that wills should have 2 witness signatures. If you only have one is the will still valid?

Thanks

CLAPTON

no ...............................

SailorSam

Anyone can be a witness, all they are really witnessing is your signature, they don't read the Will. So you can fold the paper and say will you just sign to say you saw me sign this, it could be someone from work; your next-door neighbour or someone you dragged in off the street. I think the only people it can't be is someone who is a beneficially of the Will.

SnowMan

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd wrote: »

I understand that wills should have 2 witness signatures. If you only have one is the will still valid?

Thanks

Has to be signed by the two witnesses, in the presence of the person making the will, after it has been signed, for it to be valid. See here for the main requirements for a valid will

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/family/wills.htm#foravalidwill

Mojisola

SailorSam wrote: »

Anyone can be a witness, all they are really witnessing is your signature, they don't read the Will. So you can fold the paper and say will you just sign to say you saw me sign this, it could be someone from work; your next-door neighbour or someone you dragged in off the street. I think the only people it can't be is someone who is a beneficially of the Will.

Or the husband/wife/partner of a beneficiary.

Torry_Quine

You only need one signature in Scotland though.

Loughton_Monkey

If you have it signed, with only one witness, then simply getting another is not enough. You will have to assemble two people, again, at the same time and get them both to watch you sign it, and then sign it themselves.

localhero

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

If you have it signed, with only one witness, then simply getting another is not enough. You will have to assemble two people, again, at the same time and get them both to watch you sign it, and then sign it themselves.

That is not strictly correct.

If a will is signed in the presence of one witness it is invalid.

If a will is signed in the presence of two witnesses each on different occasions it is invalid.

If a will is signed in the presence of two witnesses each on different occasions, but the testator (person making the will) then calls both witnesses together and then acknowledges his signature on the will the will becomes valid.

Not something I would particularly recommend doing, but that is the legal position.

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

I understand that wills should have 2 witness signatures. If you only have one is the will still valid?

What are the consequences of having a will with just one witness signature? i.e could the will be contested?

localhero

The answer is in post 8.

Have a read of it...

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

localhero wrote: »

The answer is in post 8.

Have a read of it...

I did read your reply a couple of times. I suppose you are saying it's just a worthless piece of paper.