Witnessing a signature.

adamktek386

Good Morning all,
I hope someone can clear something up for me please...
The other day my neighbour approached me with her ex-husband and asked me if I can witness them selling a house. I've signed twice giving my name,first line of address and a signature on last page of their documents as I haven't though much of it. 
I haven't taken any copy for me though and I got worried over the weekend whether I might be liable somehow? 

What's the worst case scenario here providing I've signed something I did not intent to? Without any details to run a proper credit check on me I should not be worried about becoming a guarantor or anything like that? Please advise

Kind regards,
Alan

Comms69

Well I don’t know obviously. But a witness is only liable in so far as they agree Person A signed something in their presence. 

No idea what you signed

ThePants999

Was the word "Witness" written where you signed? If so, there isn't anything whatsoever to worry about.

MobileSaver

adamktek386 said:

The other day my neighbour approached me with her ex-husband and asked me if I can witness them selling a house.

As @Comms69 said, if you signed as a witness then literally all you have done is confirm that the other signatures on the document were genuinely signed in your presence by the people named. Your only liability is if you did not witness them signing but claimed you did.

The actual contents of the document are irrelevant and it is not at all unusual for the witness not to know what it says as it is nothing to do with them.

martindow

You witnessing is to show that Bill Smith named on the document is the actual person signing.  Normally you don't look at the document itself apart from the final page with the name(s) of the people and space for you to sign and add your name and address. 

I doubt that you've inadvertantly bought a timeshare.

adamktek386

I believe so but I got so stressed over the weekend about this that I'm starting to question everything at this point. Thanks for your replies both though! If I ask for a copy of it, does my neighbour have to provide one? It's my name on it afterall?

MobileSaver

adamktek386 said:

 If I ask for a copy of it, does my neighbour have to provide one? It's my name on it afterall?

No because the document itself is none of your business and may well be private/confidential.

Slinky

adamktek386 said:

I believe so but I got so stressed over the weekend about this that I'm starting to question everything at this point. Thanks for your replies both though! If I ask for a copy of it, does my neighbour have to provide one? It's my name on it afterall?

I seriously doubt it.  A witness to a will, for example, cannot be a beneficiary and would you expect somebody to give you a copy of their will if you'd witnessed it?

I really think you're worrying unnecessarily.

TonyMMM

adamktek386 said:

 If I ask for a copy of it, does my neighbour have to provide one? It's my name on it afterall?

No - and you shouldn't ask. You are only witnessing them signing, nothing more  - the contents are none of your business , unless they want to share it with you.

Soot2006

It's standard to have signatures witnessed on formal paperwork; it sounds like you've got yourself into a stressy about nothing here. Deep breaths ....  

adamktek386

I guess you are right all, I did go into panic mode indeed. Of course I only meant the last page where I've signed! Should've been clearer...