[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, just having signatures and fingerprints may not be effective. The key is whether it meets the statutory formal requirements for a printed will. Article 1136 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China stipulates that a printed will shall be witnessed by two or more witnesses; the testator and the witnesses shall sign each page of the will and indicate the year, month and date. Therefore, if the will lacks witnesses, or only the signature is on the last page without indicating the date on each page, it will usually be deemed as being in violation of formal requirements and therefore invalid. Fingerprints are not a statutory substitute for signatures. They can be used as auxiliary evidence, but it is difficult to make up for the lack of signatures on each page and witnessing. In addition, the witnesses must meet statutory qualifications. Inheritors, legatees, and their interested parties cannot serve as witnesses.

1. Problem background and typical scenarios

With the popularity of computers, printing wills has become increasingly common, but formal defects also frequently arise. Typical scenarios include: the elderly printing the content and only signing and stamping their fingerprints on the last page; there is only one witness throughout the process, or the witness is a relative such as a child or spouse; the first few pages of a multi-page will lack signatures and dates; the elderly cannot write and have others sign on their behalf. The above situations are often deemed by courts to not meet the formal requirements for printed wills, resulting in the case being handled according to statutory inheritance, which is contrary to the testator's original intention.

II. Key points of contention

First, the differences in formal requirements between printed wills and self-written wills. Second, the number of witnesses, their qualifications, and the requirements for their presence. Third, whether it is necessary to sign and date each page, and whether signing only on the last page is valid. Fourth, whether a handprint can replace a signature. Fifth, how the witnessing process should be proven, and what evidence is required. Sixth, whether formal defects can be corrected, and whether signing retroactively is valid. These issues determine whether the will can be recognized.

III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm

Henglue Law Firm once represented a will inheritance dispute: The decedent, Wang *5, made a self-written will in July 2023, stipulating that his 88-square-meter house in Fengtai District be inherited by his spouse, Zhou Min, with the condition that after selling the house, he would pay a total of 1 million yuan to his three siblings. The three siblings sued for immediate auction and division. Our lawyers started with the formal requirements and provided evidence that the self-written will was written, signed, and dated by the testator himself, meeting the legal requirements for a self-written will. Ultimately, the court recognized the will as legally valid and ruled that the house would be inherited according to the will, with the payment of the funds being deferred. This case highlights the decisive role of formal requirements in determining the validity of a will: a self-written will still requires the testator to write, sign, and date it by hand, while the requirements for a printed will are even stricter, requiring the presence of two or more witnesses and the signing and dating of each page by both the testator and the witnesses. In practice, many cases of printed wills being deemed invalid due to a lack of witnesses or signatures on each page are not uncommon. Therefore, when drafting a printed will, it is best to record the entire process on video, involve two or more unrelated witnesses, have them sign and date each page, and keep the draft and printing records. If a will already exists but has flaws, it should be evaluated and redrafted in accordance with legal formalities as soon as possible. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Yuan HangAttorney (practice license number: 11101202110286151, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acting as the agent.

IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis

Action list: First, when printing a will, it is necessary to have at least two witnesses who have no vested interest present; Second, the testator and the witnesses shall sign each page and indicate the year, month, and day; Third, the entire process shall be recorded by audio and video, and the draft and printed records shall be preserved to fix the witnessing process; Fourth, avoid having the heirs, legatees, and their close relatives serve as witnesses; Fifth, if the existing will has defects, it shall be redrafted in accordance with the statutory form as soon as possible. Legal basis: Articles 1136, 1135, 1140, and 1142 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China (all of which came into effect on January 1, 2021). For matters involving wills and inheritance, you may refer to the relevant provisions.\nInheritance and division of family propertyFor services related to witnessing wills, you can refer to the following information.Intellectual property protection and corporate lawFor matters involving the disposition of real estate, you may refer to the following for reference.Real estate transactions and construction projectsThe specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings.

5. Henglu Law Firm's Reminder

Firstly, the formal requirements for a printed will are stricter than those for a handwritten will, and it is essential to have witnesses and signatures on each page. Secondly, a thumbprint cannot replace a signature, so don't assume that just pressing a thumbprint is foolproof. Thirdly, the witnesses must have no vested interests, otherwise the witnessing will be invalid. Fourthly, audio and video recordings can effectively document the process of making the will and reduce disputes. Fifthly, if there are flaws in the will, it should be redrafted as soon as possible to avoid being unable to rectify them afterwards. For disputes involving the making of wills and inheritance, you can seek help through legal channels.Inheritance of property and division of family assetsThe service obtains a comprehensive solution, which can be combined with the transfer of property inheritance.Property transactions and construction projectsFor matters related to the arrangement of family property, you may refer to the following for referenceDivorce litigation and family disputes.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is it only the last page of the will that needs to be signed for it to be valid when printing it?

They are usually invalid or have significant flaws. Printing a will requires the testator and witnesses to sign each page and indicate the year, month, and day. If only the last page is signed, it is often deemed invalid because it does not meet the statutory formal requirements. If it is impossible to prove the authenticity of the content on the previous pages, the risk is even greater. It is recommended to draw up a new will in accordance with the statutory formal requirements.

Q2: What evidence do I need to prepare when printing a will?

You should prepare the original will, the identity and contact information of the witnesses, audio and video recordings of the drafting process, drafts and printed records, and materials related to the signing time. If a dispute arises, you can also apply for a handwriting authentication. The evidence is used to prove that the form of the will is legal, that the witnesses were present, and that all parties signed each page, all of which are indispensable.

Q3: How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to witness a will?

The fees are usually related to the size of the estate, the complexity of the will, and the number of witnesses. Simple cases may be charged on a per-item basis, while those involving real estate, equity, or multiple wills will be more expensive. It is recommended to hire a lawyer or agency with experience in inheritance matters to handle the case. The fees will be determined based on the power of attorney and the agency's charging standards.

Q4: Can the defects in the form of a will be remedied?

It's usually difficult to make up for it afterwards, because the will must be made in accordance with the testator's true intentions when he/she has the capacity for action. If the testator has died, the defective will is often deemed invalid, and the estate is handled in accordance with the statutory inheritance. Therefore, if any defects are found, the testator should redraft the will in accordance with the statutory form while he/she is still alive to avoid being unable to remedy the situation afterwards.

Q5: Can the witness be a relative?

Be cautious. Heirs, legatees, and their interested parties cannot act as witnesses. If close relatives have an interest in the distribution of the estate, they are often not qualified to act as witnesses, which may lead to the invalidation of the will. It is recommended to choose a third party with no vested interest to act as a witness, and to have professionals oversee the process to ensure compliance with legal procedures.

The above answer is based on the judicial practice in Beijing. The adjudication standards in other provinces and cities may vary. For specific cases, please refer to the local rules and evidence situation.

If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Legal services for inheritance·Beijing Henglu Law Firm

Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and open adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. In case of disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.