How many witnesses do I need for my will?
I have a will, a power of attorney for health care, and a living will that I drew up myself with the aid of a program.
Can anyone tell me in Illinois how many witnesses I need for each and whether they all have to be notarized?
Re: How many witnesses do I need for my will?
For a will in Illinois, you are required to have at least two witnesses. For the power of attorney for health care, you need one witness. You need two witnesses for the living will. All three documents must be notarized. Having said that, I would strongly recommend that if you drafted your estate planning documents yourself with the aid of some sort of program, at least have them reviewed by an attorney so that he or she can recommend some corrections or modifications to you. I have seen many instances where such wills have failed to accomplish the testator’s intent or had other serious shortcomings. If a will’s shortcomings are not revealed until after you die, it is too late to fix them.
Naheed Amdani
Law Offices of Naheed A. Amdani, P.C.
4909 W. Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60077