Really OT, but need advice

[Major Tom]

Before I see the lawyer in a couple days, I would like to know what you think of the situation. Nothing to do with guns, but, a will. I have a copy of a will in which I am named executor. It is only a copy with name of decedent typed in. An inquiery to decedent's lawyer resulted in that he has only a copy also. Very unusual, I might add. No other copies or original can be found. The decedent and I both lived/live in Iowa. Without inked signatures, is a will still viable or voided?

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[Jim K]

The lawyer certainly should be able to answer that question. Wills without signatures can be and have been probated if the court feels that the will reflects the deceased person's wishes and there is no challenge.

I can't give legal advice, but I think you and the deceased person's lawyer should conduct a due and diligent search for the original signed copy; if it can't be found, then you and he should attempt to get the will probated, state law permitting.

See Probate - Can an unsigned copy of a will be admitted to probate? as an example.

Jim