Wisconsin Statutes 853.03 – Execution of wills
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Every will in order to be validly executed must be in writing and executed with all of the following formalities:
Terms Used In Wisconsin Statutes 853.03
- Following: when used by way of reference to any statute section, means the section next following that in which the reference is made. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols or figures. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Person: includes all partnerships, associations and bodies politic or corporate. See Wisconsin Statutes 990.01
- Testator: A male person who leaves a will at death.
(1) It must be signed by the testator, by the testator with the assistance of another person with the testator’s consent or in the testator’s name by another person at the testator’s direction and in the testator’s conscious presence.
(2)
(am) It must be signed by at least 2 witnesses who signed within a reasonable time after any of the following:
1. The signing of the will as provided under sub. (1), in the conscious presence of the witness.
2. The testator’s implicit or explicit acknowledgement of the testator’s signature on the will, in the conscious presence of the witness.
3. The testator’s implicit or explicit acknowledgement of the will, in the conscious presence of the witness.
(bm) The 2 witnesses required under par. (am) may observe the signing or acknowledgement under par. (am) 1. to 3. at different times.