A will must usually be witnessed by two adults who are not beneficiaries named in the will, nor their spouses or partners, and who are mentally capable and of legal age (usually 18 or older). The witnesses can be friends, neighbors, or colleagues who have no personal interest in the will to avoid conflicts of interest or undue influence. Witnesses do not need to know the contents of the will; their role is to confirm that the testator (the person making the will) signed the document willingly and was of sound mind at the time of signing. Executors can often be witnesses as long as they are not beneficiaries. The witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator and each other during the signing process. Some exceptions exist for certain types of wills, like holographic wills, which do not require witnesses. This procedure helps ensure the will's legal validity and can be crucial if the will's authenticity is contested later.
