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

In Pennsylvania, a will must be witnessed and signed to be legally valid. Generally, a will must be signed by two witnesses, both of whom must be over 18 years of age and mentally competent. The witnesses must be present at the same time, and must watch the testator sign the will. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries of the will, and cannot be married to a beneficiary of the will. In Pennsylvania, there are specific requirements for testators and witnesses. The testator must be of sound mind and at least 18 years of age, as well as aware of the contents of the will; for example, the testator should be able to identify the name of the beneficiaries, the assets being distributed, and any other provisions of the will. The witnesses must also be aware of the contents of the will. The witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator, and in the presence of each other. Pennsylvania law also requires that the witnesses must sign an affidavit, attesting to their witness of the testator signing the will. The affidavit should be filed with the will in the county register of wills. Once the will is witnessed and signed, it should be kept in a safe place and should not be changed or altered in any way. A legally valid will can only be modified or revoked by making a new will, or by making a codicil (an amendment to the will).

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