Witnesses to Will

Yorkshireman99

Robin9 wrote: »

Thank you Tom99 that is what I was expecting - deep down I thought my idea was wrong.

Manxman the new will is being prepared by a solicitor who has been to see her (MIL is bedridden and lives alone).

Mojisola - the estate (mainly her house) is quite substantial - the gifts to the neighbours is small in comparison.

When the solicitor brings the will for signature he will arrange for witnesses that will probably be two of his staff.

izoomzoom

We used our neighbours.

TBagpuss

Yorkshireman99 wrote: »

When the solicitor brings the will for signature he will arrange for witnesses that will probably be two of his staff.

This. Normally the solicitor will bring a member of staff with them and they can then witness the will.

If you were a witness then the will would be valid but any gift to your wife would fail, so she would lose her inheritance.

chesky

izoomzoom wrote: »

We used our neighbours.

But that might not work here as they may also be beneficiaries.

Mojisola

izoomzoom wrote: »

We used our neighbours.

Some people are reluctant to use neighbours because they think the witnesses have the right to read the will before signing as witnesses whereas all they have to do is watch the will being signed and then sign it themselves.

TBagpuss

Sunny_Intervals wrote: »

I'm not sure about that last one. Mine was prepared by a solicitor and he said it was fine for my blood relations to witness it, as long as they weren't beneficiaries.

It isn't unlawful, but it isn't a good idea.The witnesses are supposed to be independent, and having witnesses who are related to the person making the will or to any beneficiary can cast doubt on that .