I agree with you Bill. The prohibition is that one cannot be a WITNESS to a Will in which one is a beneficiary -- if I recall my former studies correctly. ray > Bill <oldboybill@westnet.com.au> wrote: > > Dear Lisa, > She can be Executor and beneficiary, usually sole beneficiary. > Only looking at the Probate Packet will tell, because the Last Will and > Testament will probably nominate her relationship. > Regards, Bill > > > > > I think it would be unlikely that a wife would be the executrix as she > > > would presumably be the beneficary of her husbands estate ....

Hi Ray & Bill and list, the law varied over time and between colonies/states. There is a good explanation of the HISTORICAL position in NSW at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r47toc See, in particular, http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/R47CHP2 for a discussion of the formalities of a will prior to 1986 and http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/R47CHP8 for a discussion to the history of witnesses as beneficiaries, The advice is of a general nature. If you need legal advice, consult a qualified and practising lawyer in your jurisdiction. Regards On 11 February 2011 10:57, <ray15@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > >