{"id":17598,"date":"2021-01-27T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/probatestars.com\/?p=17598"},"modified":"2021-01-25T02:38:36","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T02:38:36","slug":"how-do-you-make-a-valid-will-in-missouri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/probatestars.com\/how-do-you-make-a-valid-will-in-missouri\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Make a Valid Will In Missouri?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

    \n
  1. In writing;<\/li>\n
  2. Signed by the testator or by another person at the testator\u2019s direction and in the testator\u2019s presence;<\/li>\n
  3. Signed and attested by two competent witnesses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The requirements for a valid will in Missouri are found in \u00a7 474.320 RSMo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Who Can Make a Valid Will Under Missouri Law?<\/h2>\n

    To make a valid will in Missouri, the testator (person making the will) must be:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. At least 18 years old; or<\/li>\n
    2. A minor emancipated by adjudication, marriage, or entry into active military duty; and<\/li>\n
    3. Of sound mind.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \u00a0\u00a7 474.310, RsMo.<\/a><\/p>\n

      To be of sound mind under Missouri law, the testator must understand, at the time they create the will:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. The ordinary affairs of life;<\/li>\n
      2. The value and extent of the testator\u2019s property;<\/li>\n
      3. The number and names of the persons that are the natural objects of the testator\u2019s bounty<\/a> and their: (a) their fair expectation of an inheritance, considering their conduct and treatment of the testator; and (b) their capacity and necessities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Signature Requirements For a Missouri Will<\/h2>\n

        In order to be valid, a Missouri will must be signed by the testator or by another person at the testator\u2019s direction and in the testator\u2019s presence.\u00a0 If at all possible, it is preferable for the testator to sign the will himself, to avoid even the appearance of a lack of capacity, which is sometimes suggested when the testator does not sign the will by his own hand.<\/p>\n

        There is no requirement under Missouri law that a will must be signed at the end of the document to be valid.<\/p>\n

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

        A Missouri will must be witnessed by two competent witnesses in order to be valid.\u00a0 The witnesses must sign the will in the testator\u2019s presence.\u00a0 Anyone who is generally competent to act as a witness in the state of Missouri may act as a witness to a will.\u00a0 \u00a7 474.330(1)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        Does A Missouri Will Have To Be Notarized?<\/h2>\n

        No, a will does not need to be notarized in Missouri in order for the will to be valid.\u00a0 However, a will can be made self-proving in Missouri, which requires a notary.<\/p>\n

        If a self-proving affidavit is executed, then the court can admit the will to probate without the submission of any additional proof that the will was executed in accordance with Missouri law.\u00a0 \u00a7\u00a7 473.065(1)<\/a> and 474.337 RSMo<\/a>.\u00a0 The self-proving affidavit is usually attached to the will and can make the probate process smoother.\u00a0 The form for the self-proving affidavit in Missouri is found at \u00a7 474.337 RSMo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        Are Holographic Wills Valid In Missouri?<\/h2>\n

        No, Missouri law does not recognize holographic wills (wills handwritten by the testator and not signed and attested by witnesses).\u00a0 All wills, in order to be valid under Missouri law, must be attested to by two or more competent witnesses.\u00a0 If a will is handwritten and is properly witnessed, it can be valid under Missouri law.<\/p>\n

        To make sure that you have created a valid will under Missouri law, consult with a Missouri probate lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        To make a valid will under Missouri law, the will must be: In writing; Signed by the testator or by another person at the testator\u2019s direction and in the testator\u2019s presence; Signed and attested by two competent witnesses   The requirements for a valid will in Missouri are found in \u00a7 474.320 RSMo. Who Can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16363,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[1198],"yoast_head":"\nHow Do You Make a Valid Will In Missouri?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A valid will in Missouri must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two competent witnesses in the testator's presence.\" \/>\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-missouri\/\" \/>\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 Missouri?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A valid will in Missouri must be in writing, signed by the 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