A will accompanied by a sworn statement from witnesses and signed before a notary public.
A self-proving will is a standard will that meets certain criteria that enables it to be approved without going through probate court. A notary public must witness and stamp the affidavits before they are valid.
Some states merely need witnesses to sign declarations attached to the will under penalty of perjury certifying that a self-proving will is legal before allowing such a document to be used in probate court proceedings. It is no longer necessary for the testator’s witnesses to testify in court after the testator’s death in order to ensure the validity of a will.
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