Auctioneer Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a valid requirement for a will?

1. Being a certain age

2. Signing in front of a notary

3. Being of sound mind at the time of writing

4. Having witnesses present during signing

The correct answer is: Signing in front of a notary

The correct answer is that signing in front of a notary is not a universal requirement for a will. While some jurisdictions may allow for a notary to be present or even require notarization to validate certain types of documents, a will generally needs to meet specific criteria that can vary by state or country. For instance, many places require that the individual making the will (the testator) must be of a certain age, typically at least 18 years old. Similarly, it is crucial for the testator to be of sound mind when drafting the will, which means they must comprehend the nature of making a will and its implications. Additionally, having witnesses present during the signing is a common legal requirement to ensure the authenticity of the testator's signature and to help prevent future disputes regarding the will's validity. In contrast, not all states require a will to be notarized, making the presence of a notary an unnecessary step in many places when creating a valid will.