Q: I have drafted my will using a template. Are there any additional requirements, or do I just need to sign it?

A:

Once you’re comfortable that your Will unambiguously reflects your wishes, you need to sign it. You need to be aware of the following requirements:

• You must sign your will in the presence of two witnesses. You can’t sign it, then later ask your witnesses to sign it. They need to witness that you did, indeed, sign your will, your signature wasn’t fraudulent, and you weren’t under any duress or in any way pressurised by someone to sign it against your wishes. You and your witnesses must sign every page of the will, not just the last page.
• The following people cannot sign your will as a witness:
  • Anyone who is under the age of 16 years
  • Anyone who is not of sound mind
  • Anyone named as a beneficiary in your will
  • Anyone named as an heir in your will
  • Anyone who is married to a person named as an heir or beneficiary in your will

Once it has been signed, your original Will should be stored in a safe place and be easily accessible by your loved ones, and specifically your executor. It is also strongly recommended that you tell your loved ones that you’ve signed a will, and inform them where the will is being stored. You could also consider giving someone you trust a certified copy of your will for safekeeping.