{"id":16636,"date":"2021-01-05T12:00:12","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/probatestars.com\/?p=16636"},"modified":"2021-01-05T12:56:06","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T12:56:06","slug":"how-do-you-make-a-valid-will-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/probatestars.com\/how-do-you-make-a-valid-will-in-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Make a Valid Will In Virginia?"},"content":{"rendered":"

To make a valid will under Virginia law, the will must be:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In writing;<\/li>\n
  2. Signed by the testator<\/li>\n
  3. Witnessed by two competent witnesses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The requirements to make a valid will under Virginia law are found at Virginia Code \u00a7 64.2-403<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Who Can Make a Valid Will In Virginia?<\/h2>\n

    Any person at least 18 years old that is of sound mind can make a will in Virginia.\u00a0 See Virginia Code \u00a7 64.2-401<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    To be of sound mind and have testamentary capacity to make a valid will in Virginia, the testator must:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Understand the nature of the business in which he is engaged;<\/li>\n
    2. Recollect the property he is disposing of;<\/li>\n
    3. Know the objects of his bounty; and,<\/li>\n
    4. Know how he wishes to distribute his property.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      A Virginia Will Must Be Signed<\/h2>\n

      In order to make a will that is valid under Virginia law, the testator, or some other person in the testator\u2019s presence and by the testator\u2019s direction, must sign the will in such a manner as to make it manifest that the name is intended as a signature.<\/p>\n

      Therefore, if a testator is unable to sign the will himself, it is legal under Virginia law for the testator to direct another person to sign the will for the testator.<\/p>\n

      If it is at all possible for the testator to sign the will himself, the testator should do so.\u00a0 Having another person sign the will can encourage someone seeking to challenge the will<\/a> to suggest that the testator lacked the capacity to execute the will.<\/p>\n

      Witness Requirements For a Valid Virginia Will<\/h2>\n

      A Virginia will must be witnessed by two competent witnesses.\u00a0 The testator must sign or acknowledge the will in front of the two witnesses.\u00a0 The witnesses must be present at the same time and subscribe the will in the presence of each other and the testator.<\/p>\n

      Are Handwritten Wills Valid in Virginia?<\/h2>\n

      Yes, handwritten wills can be valid under Virginia law.<\/p>\n

      If a will is wholly in the testator\u2019s handwriting (a holographic will), the fact that the will is wholly in the testator\u2019s handwriting and signed by the testator must be proved by at least two disinterested witnesses.\u00a0 See Virginia Code \u00a7 64.2-403<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      Does A Will Have To Be Notarized To Be Valid In Virginia?<\/h2>\n

      No, there is no requirement under Virginia law that a will is only valid if it is notarized.<\/p>\n

      However, a Virginia will can be made self-proving.\u00a0 To be self-proving, the testator and witnesses sign an affidavit in front of a notary attesting to will execution.<\/p>\n

      To make sure that your will is valid under Virginia law, it is a good idea to consult with a Virginia probate lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      To make a valid will under Virginia law, the will must be: In writing; Signed by the testator Witnessed by two competent witnesses   The requirements to make a valid will under Virginia law are found at Virginia Code \u00a7 64.2-403. Who Can Make a Valid Will In Virginia? Any person at least 18 years […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16340,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[1198],"yoast_head":"\nHow Do You Make a Valid Will In Virginia?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To make a valid will in Virginia the will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two competent witnesses.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/probatestars.com\/how-do-you-make-a-valid-will-in-virginia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Do You Make a Valid Will In Virginia?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"To make a valid will in Virginia the will must be in writing, 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