Westbrook, CT asked in Estate Planning for Connecticut

Q: Questions about wills in CT. Can they be hand written and must they be notarized

Can witness be executor to the will

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Steven Basche
PREMIUM
Steven Basche
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • West Hartford, CT
  • Licensed in Connecticut

A: Connecticut allows handwritten (Holographic) wills under certain circumstances. The will must comply with all of the other requirements, including witnesses. A beneficiary cannot be witness to the will, unless they are also an heir (meaning someone who would get a part of the estate if there were no will). The executor can be a witness, but if they are a beneficiary (they get something from the will) but they are not an heir (next of kin), the will be disqualified. You should hire a lawyer to help.

Nicole M. Camporeale
Nicole M. Camporeale
Answered
  • Estate Planning Lawyer
  • Newtown, CT
  • Licensed in Connecticut

A: They should not be handwritten, they must be notarized or signed by a commissioner of the superior court (attorney), and witnesses should all be disinterested parties. The executor may not be someone receiving a share of the estate but it is recommended that they do not sign as a witness. You should definitely seek the assistance of an attorney to draft and oversee the execution of your Will.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.