Mistake on will.

metrobus

My mother dated her will like this 16th January 20@18 the @ sign is where she scribbled over a nought she put in by mistake.

Should she rectify the mistake by putting a line through the year and re entering 2018 then initialling it if so does she then also need to date the initaling?

It's very obvious she has entered 2018 but I want to make sure everything is OK.

Crabapple

It may seem obvious that she means 2018 but no changes should be made after a will is signed.

Amendments made before it is signed should be initialled by the testator and the witnesses.

In this case it would be best to get a fresh copy and do it all again.

Keep_pedalling

She really should get a fresh copy signed and witnessed.

Owain_Moneysaver

No.

Any alteration may invalidate the whole Will. The Will stands as it was when it was signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses.

If it is altered subsequently then the altered document ceases to be a witnessed Will.

metrobus

She if she crossed the initial date out and correctly entered the 2018 then initialed and dated the mistake before any signing was done it would be OK?

Mojisola

metrobus wrote: »

She if she crossed the initial date out and correctly entered the 2018 then initialed and dated the mistake before any signing was done it would be OK?

Hasn't she already signed it if she's put the date in?

Get a fresh copy printed off.

Margot123

If this is a DIY 'jobby' from WHSmith or wherever, make sure everything is done perfectly otherwise there will be challenges ahead when the testator passes away.

As others have said, better to redo it than make amendments.

Tom99

Margot123 wrote: »

If this is a DIY 'jobby' from WHSmith or wherever, make sure everything is done perfectly otherwise there will be challenges ahead when the testator passes away.

As others have said, better to redo it than make amendments.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I would agree with that. There was a problem with the date on my relative's will and witnesses had to be traced years later before probate would be granted. They were old work friends who had since moved on and were very difficult to track down.[/FONT]

Margot123

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I would agree with that. There was a problem with the date on my relative's will and witnesses had to be traced years later before probate would be granted. They were old work friends who had since moved on and were very difficult to track down.[/FONT]

Also you have to hope they are willing to provide evidence and fill out a multitude of forms once they have been traced.

So much easier to 'rip it up and start again' as the song goes.......

Owain_Moneysaver

Always a good idea to choose witnesses who are younger than you. There's more chance they'll outlive you.