Practice Areas

Blog

News

Library

What is a "will," and what exactly are the requirements I have to follow to execute a valid will in Florida?

 

A:
A "will" is a defined term in the Florida Probate Code.  Under §731.201(40) a will "means an instrument, including a codicil, executed by a person in the manner prescribed by this code, which disposes of the person's property on or after his or her death and includes an instrument which merely appoints a personal representative or revokes or revises another will."
 

Generally, the will execution problems that I see arise when a will is executed by someone other than a licensed attorney.  Given that the procedure to execute a will is also governed by Florida statues, the process is easy if you simply follow it.  Florida statute §732.501 states the following:

 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. Signing, or

         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.

      (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.

For more information contact Matthew A. Linde, P.A. today.

Terms and Conditions for Use of Website:  Matthew A. Linde, P.A. (the "Firm") makes available the information and materials on this website, http://www.probatelitigator.com, and http://www.contractlitigator.com  (the "Materials") for informational purposes only to the user ("You.”).  While the Firm hopes the Materials will be helpful as general information, the Firm does not warrant that the Materials are accurate or complete. Moreover, the Materials are general in nature, and may not apply to your legal issue. Under no circumstance do the Materials constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such.  Furthermore, the Firm accepts clients only in accordance with mutually agreed upon procedures and renders legal advice only after completion of those procedures and when it is legally permissible for the Firm to do so. Any usage of this website and Materials is provided with no warranties or guarantees of any kind. Further, attempting to print a Webpage can distort its meaning because only part of the Webpage will actually print, and links between WebPages is severed by attempting to print a page.  These WebPages are not intended to be printed.  The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask the Firm to send you free written information about the qualifications and experience of the relevant lawyer.   The Firm regularly handles cases in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral,  Bonita Springs, (Lee County) Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, (Charlotte County) and Naples including Marco Island (Collier County).

Contact Information

Videos

FAQs