Will writing - please help

treasures

Please can someone help me with the end part of signing a will. I need to sort out a very quicky will for someone who is having an operation this week so don't have time for a solicitor. I have downloaded a template and on the template it states:

SIGNED by the above-named testator in our presence on _______________________________ and then by us in the testator’s presence


Please can you let me know if the word testator should be replaced by the persons name who is writing the will. Also, the same question for the word testator's. The next question is does the blank have to have the date in it? Thank you to anyone who can help.

rpc

Please can you let me know if the word testator should be replaced by the persons name who is writing the will. Also, the same question for the word testator's.

Nope. (assuming it is crystal clear from the above text who the testator is!)

The next question is does the blank have to have the date in it? Thank you to anyone who can help.

Yep.

There should also be space for names and addresses.

In E&W, the witnesses must witness the testator actually signing (putting ink on the page). In Scotland, it is a little different.

ILW

If you are that unsure, get someone in to do it for you. A small mistake will void a will.

Leslie999

treasures wrote: »

Please can someone help me with the end part of signing a will. I need to sort out a very quicky will for someone who is having an operation this week so don't have time for a solicitor. I have downloaded a template and on the template it states:

SIGNED by the above-named testator in our presence on _______________________________ and then by us in the testator’s presence


Please can you let me know if the word testator should be replaced by the persons name who is writing the will. Also, the same question for the word testator's. The next question is does the blank have to have the date in it? Thank you to anyone who can help.

If in England, I think a beneficiary of a will cannot be a witness.
England requires two witnesses.
In Scotland, the situation is different.

Mojisola

Leslie999 wrote: »

If in England, I think a beneficiary of a will cannot be a witness.
England requires two witnesses.
In Scotland, the situation is different.

Nor the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary.

John_Pierpoint

Leslie999 wrote: »

If in England, I think a beneficiary of a will cannot be a witness.
England requires two witnesses.
In Scotland, the situation is different.

I think they can but they will have disqualified themselves from being a beneficiary.
[ie the rest of the will is still valid]

Mojisola

Leslie999 wrote: »

If in England, I think a beneficiary of a will cannot be a witness.

Mojisola wrote: »

Nor the spouse or civil partner of a beneficiary.

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I think they can but they will have disqualified themselves from being a beneficiary.
[ie the rest of the will is still valid]

Good point. A beneficiary or his/her spouse or civil partner can be a witness but their inheritance won't stand. It doesn't invalidate the rest of the will.