Published April 9, 2017 by SmolenPlevy
Some people make video recordings of their will signings in an effort to create evidence that they possess the requisite testamentary capacity. For some, this strategy may help stave off a will contest. But in most cases, the risk that the recording will provide ammunition to someone who wishes to challenge the will outweighs the potential benefits.
What are the drawbacks to videotaping a will signing?
Unless the person signing the will delivers a flawless, natural performance, a challenger will pounce on the slightest hesitation, apparent discomfort or momentary confusion as “proof” that the person lacked testamentary capacity. Even the sharpest among us occasionally forgets facts or mixes up our children or grandchildren’s names. Discomfort or nervousness with the recording process can easily be mistaken for confusion or duress.
You’re probably thinking, “Why can’t we just re-record portions of the video that do not look good?” The problem with this approach is that a challenger’s attorney will likely ask how much editing was done and how many “takes” were used in the video and cite that as further evidence of lack of testamentary capacity.
What should I do to avoid the possibility of a will contest?
For most people, other strategies for avoiding a will contest are preferable to recording the will signing. These include having a medical practitioner examine you and attest to your capacity immediately before the signing. It can also involve choosing reliable witnesses, including a “no contest clause” in your will, and using a funded revocable trust, which avoids probate and, therefore, is more difficult and expensive to challenge.
It should also be noted that most states (if not all) have a formal process for executing a will to minimize the possibility that the will was executed by someone of diminished capacity, or under duress or coercion. For example, in this area (Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia) all wills are to be signed in the presence of two witnesses, neither of whom would be possible witnesses to the state of mind of the testator.
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