What role does a witness play in the execution of a will?

The role of a witness in the execution of a will is crucial for ensuring its validity. A witness is responsible for observing the testator, the person making the will, as they sign the document. This process is vital because it confirms that the testator is indeed the person who created the will and that they did so voluntarily and with full mental capacity.

The witness's attestation—that the testator was of sound mind at the time of signing—helps protect against claims that the will is invalid due to issues like lack of capacity or undue influence. By having credible witnesses who can affirm these aspects of the will's execution, the testator's intentions are more likely to be honored after their death, reducing the potential for legal disputes over the will’s validity.

The other options present roles that are not part of the traditional function of a witness in will execution, such as managing the estate, ensuring the will is filed, or being a beneficiary. Each of these roles serves different functions within the framework of a will but does not relate directly to the witnessing process, which centers on validating the execution of the will through an attestation of the testator's mental capacity and the authenticity of their signature.