What must be included in a will according to Maryland law?

In Maryland, for a will to be considered valid, it must be signed by the testator (the person making the will) and must also be witnessed by at least two individuals who are present at the same time. This requirement for witness signatures serves as a safeguard against fraud and ensures that the testator's intentions are clearly established and acknowledged. Witnesses help verify the legitimacy of the execution of the will, as they can attest to the testator’s mental capacity and the absence of undue influence at the time the will was signed.

While notarization is a common practice and can streamline the process of probating a will, it is not a legal requirement for the validity of the will in Maryland. Therefore, a will can be valid without a notarized signature. Similarly, while including a list of debts or property valuation can be helpful for clarity and organization, these elements are not mandated by law and are not essential for a will to be valid. Witness signatures are the key component that Maryland law explicitly requires to ensure the enforceability of a will.