Estate Planning | Making a Difference One Family at a Time

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Is a Handwritten Will Valid?

Most people do not have estate plans in place, and there are those that decide to take the matter into their own hands at some point. They will literally get out a pen and paper and record their final wishes, and they assume that the document will be valid.

In order for a will to be valid in the state of Connecticut, the testator must be at least 18 years of age, and they must be of sound mind. They have to sign the document in the presence of two witnesses, and the witnesses must sign the document in front of the testator.

It is important to understand the fact that you should not ask someone that is named as an inheritor to act as a witness. Under these circumstances, they could potentially forfeit their inheritance.

A will can be valid even if it is not notarized, but notarization is quite useful from an efficiency standpoint.

If you use a will, it would be admitted to probate, and the court would supervise during the administration process.

There is a “proving of the will” during probate. The court will contact the witnesses to confirm the validity of the document. If you get it notarized, it would become a self-proving will, and this outreach would not be necessary.

As long as you follow the steps correctly, the will would be valid, even if it was written by hand. However, if it is not witnessed, it would be a contact form on this site you can use to send us a message, and if you reach out electronically, you will receive a prompt response.

 

 

Jeffrey A. Nirenstein, Estate Planning Attorney
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