What is required for a will to be witnessed and signed?

In Missouri, wills must be witnessed and signed in order for them to be legally valid. In order to make a will valid, the person making it (the testator) must sign it in the presence of two witnesses of legal age. The two witnesses must also sign the will, attesting that the testator is of sound mind and is signing the document willingly. The witnesses must have no stake in the will, meaning they cannot be included as beneficiaries in the will. This is to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the witnesses must be of sound mind themselves. They should also be aware that the testator is signing the document knowingly and willingly. The testator must sign and date the will, and the witnesses must also sign and date the will. This must all occur in the presence of one another, and should be done in front of a notary public or other authorized official. The notary public will then place a seal or stamp on the document, verifying that the will has been witnessed and signed. The law regarding wills and probate in Missouri is very clear, and the requirements for a valid will are fairly straightforward. To make sure that your will is legally valid, be sure that all requirements—including witnessing and signing the will in the presence of an authorized official—are met. That way, your will can be enforced and your wishes can be carried out.

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What is required for a will to be witnessed and signed?

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