Witnessing a signature.

theartfullodger

As long as you actually saw them sign before you signed as witness, fine.

But if  neighbour came round, asked you to sign as witness but without ex-husband there, who can say what you signed?? It could be a document purporting to be ex-hubbie transferring ownership to Mrs... Oh dear....

comeandgo

As long as the people signed with you watching you witnessed the signatures and signed as such.  Nothing else.  

adamktek386

They were both there Thank you all for a sanity check! I guess that's what I needed!

Mutton_Geoff

Slinky said:

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 witnessed someone's will and remember thinking, tongue in cheek, "damn, I'm not getting anything when they die" only to feel bad the following week when I learned they had commited suicide and my witnessing their will was just part of their preparation for the event.

eddddy

The only 'comeback' you might have is if your neighbour later decides to deny signing the document (for example, the neighbour claims that their signature was forged by somebody else).

You might then be required to confirm that you watched your neighbour sign the form, so their denial is false.

davidmcn

adamktek386 said:

What's the worst case scenario here providing I've signed something I did not intent to?

Not sure why you want the worst case scenario. You could have agreed to have your organs harvested. I don't think that's likely, though. 

adamktek386

I had something more financial in mind though Like others pointed out, I think I stressed myself too much unnecessarily... The question is still valid though!  

Mojisola

adamktek386 said:

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.

Did you watch them signing their names before you signed as a witness?

TBagpuss

I had something more financial in mind though Like others pointed out, I think I stressed myself too much unnecessarily... The question is still valid though!  

I think the take away is to check that you know what you are signing before you sign! 
Generally, if you are a witness, all you are doing is confirming that you saw them sign their name. You are not even confirming that you know that the person you saw sign is the same person as is named, although with a neighbour presumably you would be able to confirm that you knew Mr & Mrs Jones and that it was them whom you saw sign.

If asked in future, just check what it says where you sign - if it says 'signature of witness / name of witness' etc you are fine. If it says 'signature of guarantor' or anything other than 'witness' then obviously read further and decline if you are not sure!

davidmcn

Slinky said:

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?

A witness to a will, for example, cannot be a beneficiary 

I don't think that's strictly speaking true, but it is of course good advice not to use a beneficiary as a witness, in case it gives rise to questions about the circumstances of the Will's execution.