What must occur for a will to be considered valid?

For a will to be considered valid, it generally must be signed by the testator— the person making the will— and witnessed according to the requirements of the jurisdiction in which it is executed. This means that the testator should sign the will in the presence of at least two witnesses, who must also sign the will in the presence of the testator and possibly one another, depending on local laws. This process helps to verify the authenticity of the will and ensures that the testator acted voluntarily and with testamentary capacity.

The requirement for witnesses is a fundamental aspect of will execution that provides evidence that the will reflects the true intentions of the testator. Additionally, it serves as a safeguard against claims of fraud or undue influence, reinforcing the legal enforceability of the document.

Other options do not represent necessary conditions for a valid will. For instance, notarization is not universally required; while it may provide an additional layer of validity in certain jurisdictions, it is not a legal prerequisite. Similarly, filing a will with a court is typically part of the probate process but is not needed for the will to be valid at the time of execution. Lastly, the agreement of beneficiaries is not a requirement for validity; a testator can create a will without needing