Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Washington

Washington State will

Sir/Ms: Washington State requires a will to be also signed by two witnesses. Do the witnesses have to have their signatures notarized?


Asked on 8/10/08, 12:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Washington State will

The witnesses do not have to sign an affidavit of attestation, but there are significant advantages to having them sign it and having it notarized. When the will is to be probated, sworn testimony must be provided to the will's authenticity and the testator's capacity at the time the will was signed, the affidavit provides that sworn testimony, and you don't have to try to track down the witnesses and have them sign an affidavit then or bring them into court to testify (serious problems can arise when you don't have an affidavit and the witnesses are dead or moved far away, or incompetent themselves at the time of probate).

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Answered on 8/10/08, 1:36 am


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