It is extremely important that your Redstone Will is correctly signed and witnessed, as this could invalidate your Redstone Will if it isn’t. We offer a checking service through our Legal Documents Care Package.
When you sign your Will it is important that:
- you and the witnesses all stay together and in each other’s presence while you and the witnesses are all signing.
- everyone uses the same pen, which cannot be rubbed out.
- the Will is dated and signed in the right places.
- nothing has been pinned or stapled to the Will or any staples are removed e.g. in order to photocopy the Will.
In addition:
- In England and Wales, anyone over the age of 18 can witness a Will as long as they or their spouse or partner do not benefit from the Will, either directly or indirectly. For example, your witnesses could be friends, neighbours or work colleagues;
- In Scotland, anyone over the age of 16 can witness a Will as long as they or their spouse or partner do not benefit from the Will, either directly or indirectly. For example, your witnesses could be friends, neighbours or work colleagues;
- In all cases, note that “benefit” would also include anyone whom the Will entitles to be paid in connection with administering your Estate.
Once you have taken the Legal Documents Care Package and your Will has been sent to Redstone, or if you have made an update, they will check that the Will has been signed and witnessed in the correct places. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct procedure has been followed.
Please note though that as part of the attestation process Redstone are unable to check:
- That all the witnesses were present at the time of signing
- That the witnesses are of the right age, although Redstone will collect the dates of birth on the Will, where the witnesses sign.
As such, it is important that these steps are always followed, as well as the others.