
Signing & storing your Will
Once your Will has been drafted, what do you do? Here are several things to consider.
- Signing your Last Will and Testament
Once you’ve read through your Will and you’re happy with it, the next step is to sign it. Before you pick up the closest pen and merely scrawl your mark, be aware of the following requirements.
- You must sign your Will in front of 2 witnesses. You can’t sign it, then only later ask some witnesses to sign. After all, the whole purpose of being a witness is to witness! Their presence acknowledges that you did indeed sign your Will and your signature wasn’t fraudulent, you knew what you were doing and were not intoxicated at the time, and you weren’t placed under duress or pressurised by someone to sign it against your volition.
- The following people cannot sign as a witness:
- Anyone named as your beneficiary
- Anyone named as your heir
- Anyone who is married to a person named as your beneficiary or heir
- Anyone under the age of fourteen years
- Anyone who is not of sound mind or is incompetent to give evidence in court
- Safe-keeping
Once your Will is signed, what do you do with it? There are institutions that offer a Will storage service, generally for a fee. But you’re don’t have to use them. The main thing is to ensure that your original Will is stored in a safe place and is easily accessible by your loved ones. It’s also suggested that you: