TITLE: Relating to the requirement that a will be attested by witnesses.

SUMMARY: Relating to the requirement that a will be attested by witnesses.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the requirement that a will be attested by witnesses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 251.051, Estates Code, as effective January 1, 2014, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 251.051. WRITTEN, SIGNED, AND ATTESTED. Except as otherwise provided by law, a last will and testament must be: (1) in writing; (2) signed by: (A) the testator in person; or (B) another person on behalf of the testator: (i) in the testator's presence; and (ii) under the testator's direction; and (3) attested by two or more credible witnesses:(A) who are at least 14 years of age;(B) [and] who subscribe their names to the will in their own handwriting;and (C) each of whom witnesses one of the following: (i) the signing under Subdivision (2); (ii) the testator's acknowledgment of the signature under Subdivision (2); or (iii) the testator's acknowledgment of the will [in the testator's presence].SECTION 2. Section 251.051, Estates Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a will executed on or after the effective date of this Act. A will executed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the will was executed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2014.