What are the requirements for a will to be valid in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the law requires that the testator be at least 18 years old and of sound mind (mentally competent). In addition, the testator must declare that the will is his or hers in front of two witnesses — and these witnesses must then sign the will in front of the testator.

Will not notarized in PA?

Pennsylvania law does not require a person to have their will notarized. Under Title 20 Section 2051, any individual 18 or older who is of sound mind can make a will. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania law does not require two attesting witnesses to sign, or even be present, when the testator is signing.

Are handwritten wills legal in PA?

A handwritten will may be legal in Pennsylvania depending on the individual circumstances. Under Pennsylvania state code, wills must be “in writing” and signed by the person making the will, known as the testator. The state of Pennsylvania therefore makes no legal distinction between a handwritten and typed will.

How do I make a free will in PA?

How to Write a Will in Pennsylvania for Free

Identify beneficiaries. One of the main purposes of a last will is distributing your assets to certain people upon your death.
Perform an inventory of property.
Decide who gets what.
Designate a personal representative.
Draft the final will.

Do it yourself wills in Pennsylvania?

To make your will self-proving, you sign your will in the presence of two witnesses. Then, in a notary’s presence, the three of you sign affidavits that state who you are and that you signed your will in the presence of the witnesses. The notary then notarizes your signatures and you attach the affidavits to your will.

How much does it cost to make a will in Pennsylvania?

To give you an idea of the range of costs for the County fees, here are links to the local County fees for probating a will. Generally, probating a will costs between $200 – $1,000 depending on the size of the estate.

When does a will have to be notarized in Pennsylvania?

If a will does include a notarized affidavit signed by the testator and two witnesses at the time of execution, it is considered a “self-proven” will. If a will is not notarized, however, the witnesses must declare that the testator’s signature is valid at the start of the probate process.

Do you need a witness to sign a will in PA?

If the testator’s actual signature is on the will, there is no requirement for a witness to be present at the time of the will’s execution. However, Pennsylvania law requires two witnesses to be present at the time of probate to authenticate the testator’s signature.

How old do you have to be to file a will in PA?

For a court to consider a will to be valid in Pennsylvania, it must meet certain prescribed requirements set forth in Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Code. Most, if not all, states have a specific age and capacity requirement. In order for a will to be valid in Pennsylvania, Section 2501 of Title 20 requires that the testator be at least 18 years old.

How does a Will Self prove in PA?

Pennsylvania law allows you to avoid this hassle by making your will ” self-proving.” 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3132.1. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it. To make your will self-proving, you sign your will in the presence of two witnesses.

Can a person make a will in Pennsylvania?

Under Title 20 Section 2051, any individual 18 or older who is of sound mind can make a will. If the individual is of sound mind, they are aware of what they are doing and have not been deemed incompetent in a prior legal proceeding. A valid will in Pennsylvania must be in writing, either typed or handwritten.

Do you have to sign an oral will in PA?

Pennsylvania only accepts oral wills in very narrow circumstances. In all cases, the testator, or person drafting the document, must also sign it. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania law does not require two attesting witnesses to sign, or even be present, when the testator is signing.