Execution of written will; attestation

  1. Law
  2. District of Columbia Code
  3. Wills. [Enacted title]
  4. General Provisions
  5. Execution of written will; attestation

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*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on February 4, 2022. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on October 22, 2021. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*

A will or testament, other than a will executed in the manner provided by section 18-107 , is void unless it is:

(1) in writing and signed by the testator, or by another person in his presence and by his express direction; and

(2) attested and subscribed in the presence or, during the period from March 11, 2020, until November 5, 2021, the electronic presence, as defined in § 18-813(a)(2), of the testator, by at least two credible witnesses.

(Sept. 14, 1965, 79 Stat. 686, Pub. L. 89-183, § 1; June 24, 2021, D.C. Law 24-9, § 811(b), 68 DCR 004824; July 24, 2021, D.C. Act 24-125, § 3(gg)(1), 68 DCR 007342.)

Prior Codifications

1981 Ed., § 18-103.

1973 Ed., § 18-103.

Section References

This section is referenced in § 1-1001.06a, § 18-105, and § 18-109.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(gg)(1) of Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-125, July 24, 2021, 68 DCR 007342).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 811(b) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 811(b) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 811(b) of Coronavirus Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-405, Aug. 19, 2020, 67 DCR 10235).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see Chapter 1(b) of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see Chapter 1(b) of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 811(b) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 811(b) of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-130, Oct. 9, 2020, 67 DCR 8622).


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