Must a Will be notarized in order fo rit to be valid?
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Must a Will be notarized in order fo rit to be valid?
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Asked on July 29, 2017 under Estate Planning, Alaska
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
The fact is that a Will need to be notarized, although it must be be witnessed (typically by 2 witnesses but in some jurisdictions it's 3). Therefore, as long as it is properly witnessed and the testator (i.e. maker) is an adult of sound mind, a Will is legal. That having been said, if there is what is known as a "self-proving affidavit" attached, then that must be notarized. Such an affidavit does away with the need to locate the witnesses at the time that the Will is entered into probate.
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