When it comes to international estate planning, having a properly notarized will can make all the difference. Recently, I encountered a situation that perfectly illustrates why notarization is crucial for wills that may need international recognition through an apostille certification.
The Critical Role of Notarization in International Will Recognition
A recent client experience highlighted a crucial aspect of international will validation: the importance of proper notarization. Unlike wills that only have witness signatures, a notarized will provides an additional layer of authentication that becomes invaluable when international recognition is needed.
- The Difference Between Witness Signatures and Notarization
- While witness signatures are standard for wills
- Notarization provides official verification of the document’s authenticity
- Only notarized documents can receive original apostille certification
- International Requirements
- Many countries require apostille certification for foreign documents
- An apostille verifies the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal
- Original documents with just witness signatures may not qualify for apostille
- Benefits of Notarizing Your Will
- Ensures international recognition
- Simplifies the apostille process
- Provides additional security and authenticity
- Prevents potential delays in international estate matters
In my recent experience, a client needed their will to be recognized in another country. Because the will had been properly notarized, we were able to proceed directly with the apostille process. This foresight saved considerable time and prevented potential complications that could have arisen if the will had only been witnessed.
The importance of notarizing your will cannot be overstated, especially if there’s any possibility it may need to be used internationally. While witness signatures alone are sufficient for domestic purposes, having your will notarized opens the door for international recognition through apostille certification.
Planning to have your will recognized internationally? Contact La Jolla Mobile Notary for professional notarization services and expert guidance on preparing your documents for international use.
IMPORTANT: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. La Jolla Mobile Notary & Legal Document Assistant services provides notarization and document preparation services but does not provide legal advice or legal representation. We are not attorneys and are not a law firm. For specific legal advice regarding your will or estate planning needs, please consult with a qualified attorney. Our Legal Document Assistant (LDA) services are an alternative to attorney services for document preparation, offering more affordable options while maintaining compliance with California regulations.
More information on probate code for wills located on this website and copied bellow.
Probate Code – PROB
DIVISION 6. WILLS AND INTESTATE SUCCESSION [6100 – 6806]
( Division 6 enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79. )
PART 1. WILLS [6100 – 6390]
( Part 1 enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79. )
CHAPTER 2. Execution of Wills [6110 – 6113]
( Chapter 2 enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79. )
6110.
(a) Except as provided in this part, a will shall be in writing and satisfy the requirements of this section.
(b) The will shall be signed by one of the following:
(1) By the testator.
(2) In the testator’s name by some other person in the testator’s presence and by the testator’s direction.
(3) By a conservator pursuant to a court order to make a will under Section 2580.
(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the will shall be witnessed by being signed, during the testator’s lifetime, by at least two persons each of whom (A) being present at the same time, witnessed either the signing of the will or the testator’s acknowledgment of the signature or of the will and (B) understand that the instrument they sign is the testator’s will.
(2) If a will was not executed in compliance with paragraph (1), the will shall be treated as if it was executed in compliance with that paragraph if the proponent of the will establishes by clear and convincing evidence that, at the time the testator signed the will, the testator intended the will to constitute the testator’s will.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 53, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)
6111.
(a) A will that does not comply with Section 6110 is valid as a holographic will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and the material provisions are in the handwriting of the testator.
(b) If a holographic will does not contain a statement as to the date of its execution and:
(1) If the omission results in doubt as to whether its provisions or the inconsistent provisions of another will are controlling, the holographic will is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency unless the time of its execution is established to be after the date of execution of the other will.
(2) If it is established that the testator lacked testamentary capacity at any time during which the will might have been executed, the will is invalid unless it is established that it was executed at a time when the testator had testamentary capacity.
(c) Any statement of testamentary intent contained in a holographic will may be set forth either in the testator’s own handwriting or as part of a commercially printed form will.
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 710, Sec. 13. Operative July 1, 1991, by Sec. 48 of Ch. 710.)
6111.5.
Extrinsic evidence is admissible to determine whether a document constitutes a will pursuant to Section 6110 or 6111, or to determine the meaning of a will or a portion of a will if the meaning is unclear.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 710, Sec. 14. Operative July 1, 1991, by Sec. 48 of Ch. 710.)
6112.
(a) Any person generally competent to be a witness may act as a witness to a will.
(b) A will or any provision thereof is not invalid because the will is signed by an interested witness.
(c) Unless there are at least two other subscribing witnesses to the will who are disinterested witnesses, the fact that the will makes a devise to a subscribing witness creates a presumption that the witness procured the devise by duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence. This presumption is a presumption affecting the burden of proof. This presumption does not apply where the witness is a person to whom the devise is made solely in a fiduciary capacity.
(d) If a devise made by the will to an interested witness fails because the presumption established by subdivision (c) applies to the devise and the witness fails to rebut the presumption, the interested witness shall take such proportion of the devise made to the witness in the will as does not exceed the share of the estate which would be distributed to the witness if the will were not established. Nothing in this subdivision affects the law that applies where it is established that the witness procured a devise by duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence.
(Enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79.)
6113.
A written will is validly executed if its execution complies with any of the following:
(a) The will is executed in compliance with Section 6110 or 6111 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6200) (California statutory will) or Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 6380) (Uniform International Wills Act).
(b) The execution of the will complies with the law at the time of execution of the place where the will is executed.
(c) The execution of the will complies with the law of the place where at the time of execution or at the time of death the testator is domiciled, has a place of abode, or is a national.
(Enacted by Stats. 1990, Ch. 79.)
The information regarding California Probate Code referenced in this article has been sourced from [leginfo.legislature.ca.gov]. This information is shared for general educational purposes only. For the most current and accurate legal information, please consult the official California Legislative Information website at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov or consult with a qualified attorney.
