Do you have to have a will notarized?
A will is just a legal document that states how you want your estate to be distributed after you die. You write down who gets what, and leave instructions for executors and guardians of your children if they're minors when you die.
A notary public
A notary public is a person who has the authority to witness signatures on documents and declare them official. In order to become one, they must pass an examination, swear an oath, and they must be appointed by a government official (usually a judge or county clerk).
Forgery
A notary seals every document he or she witnesses with an embossing seal, which is used to prevent tampering and forging the document. The seal itself contains the name of the issuing authority, so if someone tampers with it or tries to forge it, the forgery is quickly revealed.
Legal issues
This all makes sense in the context of something like a mortgage or car loan, where you're dealing with legal issues surrounding money. But when it comes to wills, there's no need for this kind of security because the only thing being disbursed is property or possessions.
Some advantages to having one
A will doesn't need to be notarized. It only needs to be witnessed by two people who aren't beneficiaries named in the document. Its notarization is a common misunderstanding, and it causes many people to go through the expense of notarizing their wills unnecessarily. However, although a will does not need to be notarized, there are some advantages to having one.
If you have questions, you can get a free consultation with the Best Estate Lawyers.
Parklin Law - Estate Planning Lawyer
5772 W 8030 S, # N206
West Jordan UT 84081
(801) 618-0699
