Instructions for signing a will or codicil

1 General attestation — will or codicil
Signed by [name] in our presence
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and attested by us [optional: both] in
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)
[will-maker’s signature]
[his/her] presence.
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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2 Signature by mark
Signed by [name] with [his/her] mark by
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reason of [bodily weakness / physical
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)
infirmity] in our presence and
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)
attested by us in [his/her] presence.
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)
[will-maker’s name]
We certify that [option 1: [he/she] read
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[insert]
and understood the will before [he/she]
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[his/her] mark
signed it] [option 2: the will was read over to and
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understood by [him/her] before [he/she]
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)
signed it].
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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3 Blind or illiterate will-maker (not signing by mark)
Signed by [name] ([he/she] being
)
[blind/illiterate]) in our presence and attested
)
by us in [his/her] presence. We certify
)
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that the will was read over to and
)
understood by [him/her] before [he/she]
)
signed it.
)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
4 Signature by amanuensis
Signed by [name 1] at the direction of and in
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the presence of [name 2] and attested by us in
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[will-maker’s name]
the presence of [name 2]. We certify that the
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)
handwritten by
will was read over to and understood by
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)
amanuensis
[name 2] before [name 1] signed it.
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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5 Where the will-maker’s English is not perfect
This will was read over and explained to
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[name 1] in English, and then translated and
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interpreted to [him/her] in [state
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)
language] by [name 2].
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)
The will was then signed by [name 1] in
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our presence and attested by us in
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[his/her] presence. I [name 2] (a witness to this)
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will certify that [name 1] understood [his/her]
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will before [he/she] signed it, and that I
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have a sufficient knowledge of both the
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)
English and [state language] languages
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)
to certify to that understanding.
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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6 Deaf mute will-maker
Signed by [name 1] in our presence
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and attested by us in [his/her] presence.
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[name 1] is deaf and unable to speak
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but able to read. We certify that [he/she]
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read the will in our presence
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and signified [his/her] understanding
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and approval to us [optional: in New Zealand sign Language].
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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7 Alterations and interlineations
Signed by [name] in our presence and
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attested by us in [his/her] presence.
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We certify that before the will was
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signed [option 1: the words “[insert]” were
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inserted between the word “[insert]” and
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the word “[insert]” in clause [number]] [option 2: the
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)
word “[insert]” in clause [number] was deleted
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)
and replaced by the word “[insert]”].
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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8 Attestation by manager appointed under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988
Signed by [name of manager]
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for and on behalf of [name of person making the will]
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[will-maker’s name]
subject to property order
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)
handwritten by
in our presence and attested
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)
manager
by us in (choose one) his/her presence.
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)
[witnesses’ signatures and details]
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[Note: It is suggested that the “manager” should add the following certificate to the completed will.]
This will was executed by me for and on behalf of [name of person subject to a property order] with the authority of the Family Court under Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988, s 55.
[Name of manager]
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[Note: The will itself must be sealed with the seal of the Family Court.]
 
 
 
[Note: When signing a will (or codicil), please note:
A will must be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses. Both witnesses must observe the person making the will sign, and must also watch each other sign (i.e., all three persons must be present together). The witnesses do not need to read the will.
Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries, nor the spouse or partner of a beneficiary. Completely independent witnesses are preferable.
The will-maker and the two witnesses should initial each page at the bottom right or left corner, except for the final page where formal signing and witnessing occurs.
Each witness should sign their name, then print their name, occupation, and address.
The date should then be filled in.
Do not alter the will, either before or after signing, and do not pin or attach anything to it.]
Signed by the will maker in our presence and witnessed by us in [his/her] presence
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Signature
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[initials of first name and full last name]
[initials of first name and full last name]
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Witness Signature
Witness Signature
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Print Name
Print Name
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Occupation
Occupation
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Address
Address
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End of document.