Is a Will valid if it has not been notarized?
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Is a Will valid if it has not been notarized?
Must it be notarized?
Asked on June 3, 2017 under Estate Planning, Connecticut
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Actually, a Will does not need to be notarized, although it must be be witnessed. The number of witnesses to a Will is typically 2 but in some jurisdictions it's 3. So long as it is properly witnessed and the testator (i.e. maker) is an adult of sound mind, than it is legal. That having been said, if someone has what is known as a "self-proving affidavit", then that must be notarized. Such an affidavit does away with the need to locate the witnesses when the Will is entered into probate.
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