Frequently Asked Questions

A person making a Last Will and Testament is called a Testator.

Jamaica law requires that a person be of at least 18 years of age in order to be able to make a Will.

A person making a Will must sign his/her name at the end of the Will in the presence of no less than two (2) witnesses.

No. A Last Will and Testament with less than two (2) witnesses is not valid.

A Testator may have someone sign on his/her behalf and that person may sign the Testator's name but the signature must be made in the Testator's presence and based on his/her instructions.

If a Testator is blind and only capable of placing an "X". The Will must state that the Will was read over to the Testator and that he/she understood the contents of the Will and then placed his/her "X" in the presence of both witness.

Jamaican law has been amended and it now allows a person receiving a gift in a Will to also witness the Will. However, it is recommended that this be avoided as it may create difficulties when it is time to have the Will probated.

An Executor is the person named in a Will who will be responsible for administering the Testator's estate after his/her death.

If a testator is illiterate but is capable of placing an "X", the Will must state that the Will was read over to the Testator and that he/she understood the contents of the Will and then placed his/her "X" in the presence of both witnesses.

There must be at least one (1) executor but no more than four (4).  It is however recommended that there be at least two Executors.

Yes. Under Jamaican law, your Last Will and Testament becomes invalid the moment you get married. The only way your Will does not become invalid after marriage is if the Will was made in contemplation of your marriage. For example if a lady changes her will to include her fiancé and then gets married to that person; then the Last Will and Testament would not be invalid after their marriage.