In order for a will to be legally valid in Panama, certain requirements must be met. If the testator does not speak Spanish, he/she must be assisted by two Panamanian sworn interpreters at the time of formalizing the will. These translators ensure that the contents of the will are correctly understood and properly recorded. The last will and testament will must be written in both Spanish and the other foreign language.
If the testator is an elderly person, he/she must be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, to determine his/her capacity to sign legal documents. If deemed fit, the qualified mental health professional must issue a certificate of good mental health to demonstrate his/her capacity for such an act.
In Panama, it is customary to formalize a will at a Notary Public’s office.
If you need to hire a bilingual lawyer or a certified translator with experience in the preparation of wills and notarial acts, please contact us at +507 6290-3468 or email us at info@certifiedtranslatorpanama.com.