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RSMo 474.337effective 12 Jun 1991

Written will self-proved, how

In plain English

A written will can be made 'self-proved,' which means it is set up in a way that makes it easier to accept in court later without extra proof. To do this, the person making the will and the witnesses all sign in front of an official who can give oaths, and that official adds a signed and sealed certificate to the will. If the official does not have an official seal — like certain military officers — they can write a statement explaining their authority instead, and that works the same as a seal.

Word-for-word law

474.337. Written will , how. — 1. A written will may at the time of its , or at any subsequent date, be made self-proved, by the thereof by the and the witnesses, each made before an under the laws of this state, and evidenced by the officer's , under , attached or annexed to the will in form and content substantially as follows:

2. An officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of this state, who has no official seal, including a acting under section 486.130, and a or other of the acting under Article 136 of the Code of Military Justice (United States Code, 10, Section 936), whether or not on , section 492.070, or an equivalent court , may, affixing an official seal to his certificate, include in it a statement that he has no official seal and reciting the facts which establish his . Such a statement has the same effect as an official seal.

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Source & history notes

(L. 1980 S.B. 637, A.L. 1981 S.B. 117, A.L. 1991 S.B. 358) Effective 6-12-91

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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.

RSMo 474.337: Written will self-proved, how | KnowMo Laws