Father executed a Will in Florida before witnesses signed in different locations. Is it valid in Florida?
Full Question:
I have questions about making a Will in Florida. My Father made a Will and signed it. He then got two people to witness the Will but at different times and places. He previously lived in New York and has made a Will there but decided to make a new one when he moved to Florida. I have been told the Florida Will may not be valid. Is the New York Will valid in Florida?
02/07/2017 |
Category: Wills and Es... ยป Execution |
State: Florida |
#31703
Answer:
It is ok for him to sign the Will before he gets with the Witnesses provided that he acknowledged to the witnesses that he previously signed the Will. The bigger problem is with the witnesses. Florida law states that the witnesses must sign in the presence of the person making the Will and in the presence of each other. Therefore it may invalidate the Will.
Finally there is a question about whether the New York Will is valid in Florida. The answer is that is can be valid unless the making of the Florida Will revoked the previous New York Will. Since the Florida Will is not valid an argument can be made that the NY Will controls in Florida.
The relevant statutes is below.
732.502 Execution of wills.—Every will must be in writing and executed as follows:
(1)(a) Testator’s signature.—
1. The testator must sign the will at the end; or
2. The testator’s name must be subscribed at the end of the will by some other person in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s direction.
(b) Witnesses.—The testator’s:
(1)(a) Testator’s signature.—
1. The testator must sign the will at the end; or
2. The testator’s name must be subscribed at the end of the will by some other person in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s direction.
(b) Witnesses.—The testator’s:
1. Signing, or
2. Acknowledgment:
2. Acknowledgment:
a. That he or she has previously signed the will, or
b. That another person has subscribed the testator’s name to it,
must be in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses.
b. That another person has subscribed the testator’s name to it,
must be in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses.
(c) Witnesses’ signatures.—The attesting witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other.
(2) Any will, other than a holographic or nuncupative will, executed by a nonresident of Florida, either before or after this law takes effect, is valid as a will in this state if valid under the laws of the state or country where the will was executed. A will in the testator’s handwriting that has been executed in accordance with subsection (1) shall not be considered a holographic will.
(3) Any will executed as a military testamentary instrument in accordance with 10 U.S.C. s. 1044d, Chapter 53, by a person who is eligible for military legal assistance is valid as a will in this state.
(4) No particular form of words is necessary to the validity of a will if it is executed with the formalities required by law.
(5) A codicil shall be executed with the same formalities as a will.
(2) Any will, other than a holographic or nuncupative will, executed by a nonresident of Florida, either before or after this law takes effect, is valid as a will in this state if valid under the laws of the state or country where the will was executed. A will in the testator’s handwriting that has been executed in accordance with subsection (1) shall not be considered a holographic will.
(3) Any will executed as a military testamentary instrument in accordance with 10 U.S.C. s. 1044d, Chapter 53, by a person who is eligible for military legal assistance is valid as a will in this state.
(4) No particular form of words is necessary to the validity of a will if it is executed with the formalities required by law.
(5) A codicil shall be executed with the same formalities as a will.
