How Many Original Wills Should Be Signed?
There should only be one original, signed copy of the will.

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Similarly one may ask, should all pages of A will be signed?

In practical terms, yes, every Will needs to be signed in the presence of two witnesses. There are however two unusual exceptions. A holographic Will is a document written entirely in your own handwriting. It is a special Last Will and Testament, because it does not need to be signed in the presence of two witnesses.

One may also ask, how do you tell if a will is the original? Most are dated on the last page, right above the signature. A few are dated on the top of the first page, in the first or second line of the Will. If you have found more than one possible Will, the most recent one is the valid one, but don't destroy the old one. Note that Wills don't expire, no matter how old they get.

Then, should each page of A will be initialed?

The person who made it must have signed and dated it. If the person wasn't physically able to sign the document, it is permissible for him or her to have directed someone else to sign it, in front of witnesses. It's also common, but not required, for the will-maker to have signed or initialed each page of the document.

What happens if you don't have the original will?

If the Will Can't Be Found. In most states, if you fail to locate a will, the law presumes that it's because your loved one revoked it before his death by destroying it. The court will probate his estate as though he died intestate -- that is, without a will.

Related Question Answers

What would make a will invalid?

A common strategy for declaring a last will invalid is to argue that the decedent was not of sound mind and was unable to understand what he or she was doing when the will was formed. Another strategy is to argue that the last will was created under the undue influence or coercion of another person.

Who should have a copy of your will?

Anyone who is an immediate family member of the deceased, whether or not he or she is listed in the will, is legally entitled to view a copy. The same applies to anyone who is listed in the will as a beneficiary.
Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

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Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.