Do you know what a self-proving affidavit does? Experienced Palm Beach probate litigators know how crucial these are to your estate plan. Did you know that you might be able to add a self-proving affidavit to your will after you already executed it? Learn how to save the witnesses time by executing one of these important documents.
Self-Proving Affidavits
- So what is a self-proving affidavit?
- When you execute a will in West Palm Beach you have to have witnesses sign it.
- These witnesses are attesting to your signature and when you die the will has to be admitted to probate by their testimony.
- What does that mean?
- Basically the witnesses have to go down the probate court and testify under oath to your signature.
- This happens even if no one contests the will.
- That seems tedious right?
- That is where a West Palm Beach self-proving affidavit comes in.
- These documents are signed with formalities that eliminate the need for the witnesses to come down to the Court.
- This is especially important is you may lose track of witnesses.
- For example maybe the witnesses moved or predeceased you.
- Now what?
- Should have had a self-proving affidavit.
- There is good news though.
After the Fact Affidavits
- You do not need to execute the affidavit at the time you sign the will, although this is recommended.
- You can get it done after the fact, maybe after you read this blog!
- Do you know what needs to go into a self-proving affidavit?
- An experienced Palm Beach probate litigator knows how to draft these documents to avoid testimony by witnesses in West Palm Beach.
- Does your will have a self-proving affidavit?
- A good way to check is to see if there was a notary there at the time of execution, now look for the affidavit at the end of the will.
- Are you unsure if what you are reading is an affidavit?
- Take the will to a Palm Beach probate firm and ask for a consultation today.
- These documents can save time and money for your heirs and witnesses.
- Furthermore, adding one is not going to be hard, you do not need to scrap your prior estate plan, just add it in at the end.
- What other parts of a strong estate plan are missing from your West Palm Beach will?
- Do other jurisdictions respect the self-proving affidavit for purposes of ancillary administration?