What are the legal requirements for making a will in my state?

In Maryland, the legal requirements for making a will are fairly straightforward. To qualify as a valid will, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and of sound mind. The will must be in writing, signed and witnessed by two people who are not named in the will. The witnesses must be present when the will is signed, and they must both sign the document in the presence of the testator (the individual making the will) and of each other. The will must also state that it was made with the intention of disposing of the testator’s real and personal property as of the date of the will’s execution. Finally, the individual must make sure that the will is properly attested, which means that it must either be acknowledged in the presence of a Notary Public, or it must be signed by the testator and the two witnesses and then mailed registered or certified mail to the testator. Once the will is completed, it must be placed within the probate court system. This requires that the will be submitted to a Register of Wills in the county in which the testator lived when the will was signed. The Register of Wills will review the will and ensure that all the legal requirements have been met. If the Register of Wills finds the will to be valid, it will be accepted and the probate process can begin. Overall, making a valid will in Maryland requires that the individual be a certain age, that the will be in writing and properly attested, and that the will be submitted to a Register of Wills for review. With these requirements met, the testator’s wishes will be honored after their death.

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What are the legal requirements for making a will in my state?

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