---
title: "Record whether a witness is said to have known it was a will"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/trusts-and-estate-planning/record-that-a-witness-need-not-know-the-document-is-a-will/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A19-JU20261022-23-US"
practice_area: "Trusts & Estate Planning"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record whether a witness is said to have known it was a will

> The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.502, as opened, does not require the witness to have known that the document was a will.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/trusts-and-estate-planning/record-that-a-witness-need-not-know-the-document-is-a-will/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Trusts & Estate Planning](https://ailawframework.com/practice/trusts-and-estate-planning.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.502, as opened, does not require the witness to have known that the document was a will. From the execution notes, record any statement that a witness did not know the document was a will. Do not decide that the will was validly executed. |
| What the lawyer must review | The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.502 requires writing, a signature at the end, two attesting witnesses for the signing or acknowledgment, and witness signatures in the presence of the testator and of each other. It does not require a statement that a witness knew the document was a will. Section 732.504 says any person competent to be a witness may witness. The tool records a note that a witness did not know. It does not decide validity. A publication requirement in another state was not opened. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Record that a witness need not know the document is a will](https://ailawframework.com/practice/trusts-and-estate-planning/record-that-a-witness-need-not-know-the-document-is-a-will.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: The rule is state law, and the lawyer must confirm which state's law governs. For example, Florida Statutes s 732.502, as opened, does not require the witness to have known that the document was a will. From the execution notes, record any statement that a witness did not know the document was a will. Do not decide that the will was validly executed.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Wills, intestacy and probate are state law; confirm the governing state before relying on this.
- The Florida example is 2025 Florida Statutes text. The Senate site says the text is unverified. Another state's statute was not opened.
- Do not add a publication requirement from a state whose statute was not opened. Do not decide that the will was validly executed.

## Sources

- [Florida Statutes section 732.502, Execution of wills](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/732.502) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Florida Statutes section 732.504, Who may witness](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/732.504) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*