Wills - Number of Witness Signatures

nxdmsandkaskdjaqd

How long has the need for two witness signatures been a requirement?

Hawkeye4aneye

Since 1837 and I don't mean 2 hours 20 minutes ago LOL

All the details as already mentioned detailed below
http://www.inbrief.co.uk/estate-law/formalities-making-a-will-s9-wills-act.htm

Loughton_Monkey

localhero wrote: »

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.

Thanks for putting me right. But I'm being a bit thick today, perhaps, and don't fully understand this.

Are you saying (e.g. for my will) I sign it once - in front of witness A who also signs it. Then the next day I sign it again in front of witness B - who also signs it. Then I get A and B together. Do I have to sign it a third time?

Mojisola

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

Thanks for putting me right. But I'm being a bit thick today, perhaps, and don't fully understand this.

Are you saying (e.g. for my will) I sign it once - in front of witness A who also signs it. Then the next day I sign it again in front of witness B - who also signs it. Then I get A and B together. Do I have to sign it a third time?

With wills, it's really not worth introducing complications that might lead to your will being invalid.

Your witnesses don't have to be anyone in particular. Just ask two friends, workmates or neighbours to be there at the same time and do the job properly.

They don't get to read your will, just to witness your signature so it doesn't matter who they are as long as they aren't inheriting anything from you and neither are their partners.

Hawkeye4aneye

The normal way is that both witnesses are both there at the same time and see you sign before they sign in the presence of eachother. Localhero was merely pointing out that IF you had signed it on 2 separate occasions with the two witnesses you can rectify this by bringing them together as he mentions. However if you are bringing them together anyway you might as well get the Will signed in the usual correct manner.

The witnesses must see the testator signing or executing the will. If even one of the two witnesses does not see the actual signing of the will, the will shall be considered invalid. It is, therefore, very important that the witnesses should be aware of and see the testator signing the document. It is not necessary for the witnesses to know the contents of the document. After attesting to and witnessing the signing of the will, the witnesses must attest the will by signing and acknowledging his signature in the presence of the testator.