Newark, NJ asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York

Q: My father died 7months before my mom and he wrote a will that he hand wrote and had it notarized and stamped.

My mom just passed 4 weeks ago. My father didn't sign the will even though he clearly wrote it. Is it a binding document and since my mom is gone also are my father's wishes valid. My mom left no final wishes in writing

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers

A: A will must be signed before two witnesses to be valid.

Howard E. Knispel
PREMIUM
Answered

A: First, this is not a Family Law question. It is a wills and estates question. Having said that, a will is not notarized. It is witnessed by at least 2 witnesses and the witnesses' affidavit is notarized. Also wills are not supposed to be handwritten except in rare circumstances. So the will is likely not valid and not probatable.

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.