I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed.
Pamela wrote:
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and
witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed.
I've only dealt with one estate which wasn't intestate, before sending
the original will in the post, I decided to have a certified copy made
by a solicitor. They separated the pages, photocopied and re-stapled
the original, I did get a query from the court about the two sets of
staple holes ...
Would it be good practice for the testator to sign his or her will on every >page? I gather it's not strictly necessary but the valid alternatives seem >distinctly inferior.
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and >witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed. However in
an age of word processors, this seems open to potential malpractice.
I also understand that each of the pages of a will can be initialled and
the last one signed (and witnessed). However initials seem relatively easy
to forge and a signature on each page seems more secure.
So why isn't the general advice to sign every page (with witnesses on the >last page)?
Andy Burns <[email protected]> wrote in news:m2ih4eFhr5cU1 @mid.individual.net:
Pamela wrote:
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and
witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed.
I've only dealt with one estate which wasn't intestate, before sending
the original will in the post, I decided to have a certified copy made
by a solicitor. They separated the pages, photocopied and re-stapled
the original, I did get a query from the court about the two sets of
staple holes ...
Similarly when dealing with an estate a bank employee wanted to copy the
will for their files and moved to remove the staples which I quickly put down. They just didn't get the idea that doing so could potentially affect the integrity of the will, "we always do it this way". Ease of copying (doc feeder) vs integrity.
As the o/p states, in these days of self printed wills (rather than
punched, ribbon bound and sealed) it would appear to make sense to sign or initial each page but would welcome informed opinion in case there is a
bear trap waiting to snap as a result.
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:48:08 GMT, Pamela
<[email protected]> wrote:
Would it be good practice for the testator to sign his or her will on every >> page? I gather it's not strictly necessary but the valid alternatives seem >> distinctly inferior.
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and
witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed. However in
an age of word processors, this seems open to potential malpractice.
I also understand that each of the pages of a will can be initialled and
the last one signed (and witnessed). However initials seem relatively easy >> to forge and a signature on each page seems more secure.
So why isn't the general advice to sign every page (with witnesses on the
last page)?
I have no idea, but resumably the legal profession doesn't have a
problem with it being like that. (When I made my last will (in 2018,
I've just checked) I was only required to sign the last page, and the witnesses signatures went on the following page.)
On 02/03/2025 11:20, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:48:08 GMT, Pamela
<[email protected]> wrote:
Would it be good practice for the testator to sign his or her will
on every page? I gather it's not strictly necessary but the valid
alternatives seem distinctly inferior.
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and
witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed.
However in an age of word processors, this seems open to potential
malpractice.
I also understand that each of the pages of a will can be initialled
and the last one signed (and witnessed). However initials seem
relatively easy to forge and a signature on each page seems more
secure.
So why isn't the general advice to sign every page (with witnesses
on the last page)?
I have no idea, but resumably the legal profession doesn't have a
problem with it being like that. (When I made my last will (in 2018,
I've just checked) I was only required to sign the last page, and the
witnesses signatures went on the following page.)
The only protection really is that there must be witnesses to the
signing. But they don't have to be living at the time the testator
dies.
The Todal <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
On 02/03/2025 11:20, Peter Johnson wrote:
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 22:48:08 GMT, Pamela
<[email protected]> wrote:
Would it be good practice for the testator to sign his or her will
on every page? I gather it's not strictly necessary but the valid
alternatives seem distinctly inferior.
I believe the requirement is only the last page needs signing (and
witnessing) if the pages are bound to one another when signed.
However in an age of word processors, this seems open to potential
malpractice.
I also understand that each of the pages of a will can be initialled
and the last one signed (and witnessed). However initials seem
relatively easy to forge and a signature on each page seems more
secure.
So why isn't the general advice to sign every page (with witnesses
on the last page)?
I have no idea, but resumably the legal profession doesn't have a
problem with it being like that. (When I made my last will (in 2018,
I've just checked) I was only required to sign the last page, and the
witnesses signatures went on the following page.)
The only protection really is that there must be witnesses to the
signing. But they don't have to be living at the time the testator
dies.
Yes but that offers no protection from page substitution in a simple
stapled paper will. The witness(es) have no right to view the content of
the will.
And often the witnesses have died before the testator. And the witnesses
do not get a copy of the will that they have witnessed so they cannot be expected to remember what is in it - in fact, all they are entitled to
do is witness a signature. Not to confirm that the testator appears to
be of sound mind.
On 02/03/2025 13:25, Peter Walker wrote:
The Todal <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
The only protection really is that there must be witnesses to the
signing. But they don't have to be living at the time the testator
dies.
Yes but that offers no protection from page substitution in a simple
stapled paper will. The witness(es) have no right to view the content of
the will.
And often the witnesses have died before the testator. And the witnesses
do not get a copy of the will that they have witnessed so they cannot be expected to remember what is in it - in fact, all they are entitled to
do is witness a signature. Not to confirm that the testator appears to
be of sound mind.
On 02/03/2025 13:48, The Todal wrote:
On 02/03/2025 13:25, Peter Walker wrote:
The Todal <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
The only protection really is that there must be witnesses to the
signing. But they don't have to be living at the time the testator
dies.
Yes but that offers no protection from page substitution in a simple
stapled paper will. The witness(es) have no right to view the
content of the will.
And often the witnesses have died before the testator. And the
witnesses do not get a copy of the will that they have witnessed so
they cannot be expected to remember what is in it - in fact, all they
are entitled to do is witness a signature. Not to confirm that the
testator appears to be of sound mind.
I have wondered about that myself. How does having some random young secretaries at my solicitors who don't know me from Adam witness my
signature make it any more likely that I am who I say I am?
I can see the point when the witness is someone who has known me
personally for decades but Wills seem to be one where the signing is invariably at your solicitors with two random witnesses chosen by
them.
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