oIs The Testator Unable to Sign The Will? There Are Options.
Sometimes when our estate planning attorneys are working on a will here at the Law Offices of James C. Shields, we're confronted with a client with a physical inability to sign a will. It can be for a variety of reasons, often health-related, but we want you to know that this is not an obstacle to having a valid will.
If someone is physically unable to sign a will, there are options. If possible, the testator can sign with something as simple as an X. If they cannot, however, they are permitted to direct someone else to sign the will on their behalf.
What Is a Testator?
The testator is the person who created the will. They are responsible for telling the court and loved ones about what they would like to be done to their estate after death.
Other Requirements For a Will Aside From the Signature
There are more stringent requirements for wills than the signature. These will be required in most states.
Two Witnesses
Generally, the will needs to be witnessed and signed by two disinterested (in other words, non-inheriting) witnesses. If a witness has an interest in the will and it is contested, that witness may lose his/her share of the inheritance. The testator needs to sign the will or direct someone to sign the will on her behalf, in the presence of both witnesses at the same time.
The Capacity to Create a Will
The testator must also have the capacity to create a will. It is not particularly difficult to have that capacity; the requirements only apply when the will is signed. Therefore, a person can have rare moments of lucidity and still have testamentary capacity.
At the moment the will is signed, the testator must understand a few requirements, including:
- What property they have
- How their property is to be distributed under the will
- To whom they would normally include in the will (most people will include spouses and children, for example)
Get the Help of an Estate Planning Attorney in South Bay
In conclusion, an inability to sign is no obstacle to the creation of a will, but there are some formalities you'll need to observe. There are also other, more important, requirements of which to be aware. If you're thinking about making a will, or need to arrange to have a will written for a loved one, contact our Torrance estate planning lawyers for a consultation at the Law Offices of James C. Shields.
