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The following procedure sets out the requirements to legally sign
a Will: |
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You and two witnesses (in Vermont, 3 witnesses) must be present
in the same room at the same time, and you must each watch one
another sign the Will. |
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Neither witness should be a beneficiary or the spouse of a beneficiary
named in the Will or the gift to such person or the spouse of
such person may fail. |
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Put your initials at the right hand corner of the bottom of each
page
(except the last page where you will sign the Will on the line
above your name). |
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Each witness must then initial each page next to where you placed
your initials. |
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Insert the date where indicated on the last page of your Will,
and place your initials in the margin closest to where you inserted
the date
(each of the witnesses should also place their initials in this
location as well, next to your initials). |
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On the last page of the Will sign with your normal signature on
the line above where it states "Name of Testator"
(sign as if you were writing a check). |
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On the last page of the Will, each witness should print his or
her name, address, and occupation in the spaces provided and then
sign with their normal signature on the line above where it states
"(Signature of Witness)". You and the witnesses should only
sign the original Will
(no copies). |
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In many States, you will want your witnesses to sign a document
called a "Self Proving" Affidavit (or sworn statement).
This Affidavit of the subscribing witnesses must be sworn before
a Notary Public in your State (or an Officer authorized to administer
Oaths under the laws of your State}. This Affidavit eliminates
the need for the witnesses to testify that they witnessed your
signing the Will. Otherwise, problems may result if the
witnesses have died or cannot be located. |