Do you have to have a will notarized?
Do you have to have a will notarized?
It depends on the state. You might be surprised to learn that under most circumstances, you don't need to have a will notarized. You should still have it witnessed by two people, but there's no legal requirement for the signatures to be notarized. It might seem like an unnecessary step, but it's done for the same reason people usually get their legal documents notarized—to prove that it was actually signed by the person who claims they signed it.
You might think that when a will is drawn up, it's automatically valid and notarized—but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, until you get it notarized (and sometimes even then) it is not legally valid in most states.
So what does notarizing a will entail? Essentially, a notary public or other authorized official witnesses your signature on the will. The act of witnessing your signature means that the official can testify in court that the signature on your will is indeed yours. It's important to have this done because if you die without a will and there are discrepancies about who signed it, or if someone claims that you were coerced or unduly influenced to sign a will, then it's good to have proof that you did indeed write the document.
Another reason to get your will notarized is because there are some states in which wills are required to be witnessed by two people. This is particularly helpful if you don't have many people who know you well enough to witness your signature—if they're also named as beneficiaries in your will, then they can help with this part of the process as well. At any rate, having two people witness your signature helps ensure that your wishes are carried out.
If you have any questions or in need a Will Attorney, we have the Best Attorneys in Utah. Please call this law firm for free consultation.
We help you with Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, Estate Administration, Probate and More
Parklin Law - Estate Planning
5772 W 8030 S, # N206
West Jordan UT 84081
(801) 618-0699
40.605070, -112.027530
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and is simply an answer to a question and that if legal advice is sought to contact a licensed attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction.
