Dr. Gerry W. Beyer Governor Preston E. Smith Regents ... of...Texas Tech University School of Law 1...
Transcript of Dr. Gerry W. Beyer Governor Preston E. Smith Regents ... of...Texas Tech University School of Law 1...
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Dr. Gerry W. BeyerGovernor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law
Texas Tech University School of Law1
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Elements of a valid will.
Impact of changes between will execution and death
Property
Persons
Will revocation
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1. Legal Capacity
2. Testamentary Capacity
3. Testamentary Intent
4. Formalities
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1. 18 years old or older.
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2. Is or has been lawfully married.
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3. Is a member of the armed forces at timeof will execution.
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1. Understand what doing
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2. Comprehend effect of what doing.
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3. Know general nature and extent ofproperty.
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4. Know natural objects of bounty.
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5. Achieve above four elementssimultaneously.
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Testator must intend the very instrument the testator executes to be the will.
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Attested (witnessed)
Holographic (handwritten)
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Written
Signed
Witnessed
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No requirement regarding what written on or with.
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Any symbol executed or adopted by the testator with present intent to authenticate the will.
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Number = at least two
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Legal Capacity
Above 14
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Attestation Capacity
Credible; qualified to testify in court
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4. Knowledge
Publication not required (witnesses do not needto know they are witnessing a will)
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1. Witnesses attest in presence of testator?
Required in Texas.
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2. Witnesses attest in each other’spresence?
Not required in Texas.
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3. Testator signs (or acknowledges a priorsignature) in presence of witnesses?
Not required in Texas.
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1. Effect on will
None – will remains valid.
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2. Effect on beneficiary’s gift
Void, unless an exception applies.
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3. Exceptions
a. If beneficiary is also an heir, beneficiaryreceives smaller of will and intestate share.
b. Will is otherwise established (e.g., anotherwitness).
c. Corroboration by disinterested and credibleperson.
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Substitutes for in-court testimony of witnesses when will probated.
Saves time, expense, and inconvenience when probating will.
Does not “strengthen” the will.
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1. Traditional –two-step with“double”signatures.
SPA is separatedocument.
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2. Modern (as ofSeptember 1,2011) – one-step with“single”signatures.
SPA is insidethe will.
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In about 50% of the states including Texas, wills that are in the testator’s own handwriting do NOT need to be witnessed.
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