The insister is hovering over the sick bed...the eating table probably pushed in front of the invalid...the bed rolled up...a pen placed in the shaking hand...under the gaze of anxious eyes following the shaky scrawl in or near the strategic place. The relative knows enough about the law to feel that this, the latest instrument signed by the sick and aged person, must be accepted as the intentions of the testator, as the well-known shuffle off of this mortal coil takes place. FADE OUT.

FADE IN to the lawyer's office. A very angry relative is stating to the attorney: "I know my......(fill in the relative's name) signature. AND THAT'S NOT IT!!!!"

The next logical step is to find out whether the signature on the document is valid. How to do this? You will question the witness, if available. Then what? The witness may be believable, but that will not placate an angry non-recipient of proceeds that (s)he felt was rightfully his/hers. Then, you find a qualified questioned document examiner.

The questioned document examiner will request writings considered authentic for comparison. If you can supply the examiner with contemporaneous writings to the date of the questioned document, you are halfway there. However, what happens if you cannot?

As many handwritings and signatures as possible are needed, written at about the same period as the questioned document. A six-month leeway, earlier or later, may be allowed, provided that some accident or illness has not robbed the testator of motor control.

In the handwritings of octogenarians who have all their mental faculties and strong motor control, none of the signs of aging will appear. However, in the handwriting of a senile 60-year old, all of the above and more will be affected.

This type of shaky writing is a prime target for forgery. It is also one of the most difficult to copy. The skill of the forger cannot approximate the point of failure of control. It is very apparent to the experienced examiner when a relatively healthy individual tries to copy the weakness shown in the aged's handwriting.

It is always best to have the original document examined. Often the quality of the photocopy will compromise the opinion. Someone will have a happy ending to the story if the signature has been properly scrutinized.

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