Qui testamenta facere possunt et quemadmodum testamenta fiant
(Who can make wills and in what manner they should be executed.)
1 Modestinus libro secundo pandectarum. Testamentum est voluntatis nostrae iusta sententia de eo, quod quis post mortem suam fieri velit.
1 Modestinus, Pandects, Book II. A will is the lawful expression of our wishes with respect to what anyone desires to be done after his death.
2 Labeo libro primo posteriorum a Iavoleno epitomatorum. In eo qui testatur eius temporis, quo testamentum facit, integritas mentis, non corporis sanitas exigenda est.
2 Labeo, Abridgments of Last Works by Javolenus, Book I. Soundness of mind is required of a testator at the time that he makes a will, but bodily health is not necessary.
3 Papinianus libro quarto decimo quaestionum. Testamenti factio non privati, sed publici iuris est.
3 Papinianus, Questions, Book XIV. The execution of a will is not a private right, but a matter of public law.
4 Gaius libro secundo institutionum. Si quaeramus, an valeat testamentum, in primis animadvertere debemus, an is qui fecerit testamentum habuerit testamenti factionem, deinde, si habuerit, requiremus, an secundum regulas iuris civilis testatus sit.
4 Gaius, Institutes, Book II. If we make inquiry as to whether a will is valid, we should first ascertain whether he who made it had the right to do so, and then, if he had, we should ascertain whether it was drawn up in accordance with the rules of the Civil Law.
5 Ulpianus libro sexto ad Sabinum. A qua aetate testamentum vel masculi vel feminae facere possunt, videamus. verius est in masculis quidem quartum decimum annum spectandum, in feminis vero duodecimum completum. utrum autem excessisse debeat quis quartum decimum annum, ut testamentum facere possit, an sufficit complesse? propone aliquem kalendis Ianuariis natum testamentum ipso natali suo fecisse quarto decimo anno: an valeat testamentum? dico valere. plus arbitror, etiamsi pridie kalendarum fecerit post sextam horam noctis, valere testamentum: iam enim complesse videtur annum quartum decimum, ut Marciano videtur.
5 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book VI. Let us consider at what age males or females can make a will. The better opinion is that males must have attained the age of fourteen and females that of twelve, to fulfill the legal requirements. In order to make a will, is it sufficient for a party to have reached the age of fourteen, or must he have passed that age? Suppose a person born on the Kalends of January makes his will upon his fourteenth birthday, will such a will be valid? I hold that it will be valid, and I go even farther, and say that if he made his will upon the day preceding the Kalends of January, after the sixth hour of the night, his will will be valid, for, according to Marcianus, he is then considered to have completed his fourteenth year.
6 Gaius libro septimo decimo ad edictum provinciale. Qui in potestate parentis est, testamenti faciendi ius non habet, adeo ut, quamvis pater ei permittat, nihilo magis tamen iure testari possit. 1Surdus mutus testamentum facere non possunt: sed si quis post testamentum factum valetudine aut quolibet alio casu mutus aut surdus esse coeperit, ratum nihilo minus permanet testamentum.
6 Gaius, On the Provincial Edict, Book LXX. Where an individual is under the control of his father, he has no right to make a will; and to such an extent is this true that even if the father should grant him permission, he, nevertheless, cannot legally execute a will. 1Persons who are deaf and dumb cannot make a will, but where anyone becomes dumb or deaf through illness, or any other accident, after the will has been executed, it will still be valid.
7 Aemilius Macer libro primo ad legem vicensimam hereditatium. Si mutus aut surdus, ut liceret sibi testamentum facere, a principe impetraverit, valet testamentum.
7 Æmilius Macer, On the Twenty Per Cent Law of Inheritance, Book I. Where a person who is dumb or deaf obtains permission from the Emperor to make a will, it will be valid.
8 Gaius libro septimo decimo ad edictum provinciale. Eius qui apud hostes est testamentum quod ibi fecit non valet, quamvis redierit. 1Si cui aqua et igni interdictum sit, eius nec illud testamentum valet quod ante fecit nec id quod postea fecerit: bona quoque, quae tunc habuit cum damnaretur, publicabuntur aut, si non videantur lucrosa, creditoribus concedentur. 2In insulam deportati in eadem causa sunt: 3Sed relegati in insulam et quibus terra Italica et sua provincia interdicitur testamenti faciendi ius retinent. 4Hi vero, qui ad ferrum aut ad bestias aut in metallum damnantur, libertatem perdunt bonaque eorum publicantur: unde apparet amittere eos testamenti factionem.
8 Gaius, On the Provincial Edict, Book VII. A will executed by a person while in the power of the enemy is not valid, even though he should return. 1Where fire and water have been forbidden to anyone, no will which he made previously or subsequently will be valid, and whatever property he was possessed of at the time of his condemnation shall be confiscated; or, if it does not seem to be sufficiently valuable for this to be done it shall be abandoned to his creditors. 2Persons who have been deported to an island are in the same condition. 3Those, however, who have been relegated to an island, and such as have been forbidden to remain in Italy or in their own province, retain the right to make a will. 4Moreover, those who have been sentenced to fight in the arena, or to be thrown to wild beasts, or to work in the mines, forfeit their liberty, and their property is confiscated; from whence it is evident that they lose the right to make a will.
9 Ulpianus libro quadragesimo quinto ad edictum. Si quis post accusationem in custodia fuerit defunctus indemnatus, testamentum eius valebit.
9 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XLV. If anyone accused of crime should die in prison before being convicted, his testament will be valid.
10 Paulus libro tertio sententiarum. Qui manus amisit testamentum facere potest, quamvis scribere non possit.
10 Paulus, Opinions, Book III. Where a man has lost his hands, he can make a will, even though he is unable to write.
11 Ulpianus libro decimo ad Sabinum. Obsides testari non possunt, nisi eis permittitur.
11 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book X. Hostages cannot execute a will, unless permission is granted them to do so.
12 Iulianus libro quadragesimo secundo digestorum. Lege Cornelia testamenta eorum, qui in hostium potestate decesserint, perinde confirmantur, ac si hi qui ea fecissent in hostium potestatem non pervenissent, et hereditas ex his eodem modo ad unumquemque pertinet. quare servus heres scriptus ab eo, qui in hostium potestate decesserit, liber et heres erit seu velit seu nolit, licet minus proprie necessarius heres dicatur: nam et filius eius, qui in hostium potestate decessit, invitus hereditati obligatur, quamvis suus heres dici non possit, qui in potestate morientis non fuit.
12 Julianus, Digest, Book XLII. According to the Lex Cornelia, the wills of those who die while in the power of the enemy are confirmed, just as if those who had executed them had never been in the hands of the enemy, and their estates pass to whomever are entitled to them under the testamentary provisions. Wherefore, in case a slave is appointed heir by a person who dies while in the power of the enemy, he will become free and the heir of the testator, whether he is willing or not; although he is improperly said to be a necessary heir, for the son of a man who dies while in the hands of the enemy must assume the obligation of the estate, even if unwilling to do so, although he cannot be said to be his heir, as he was not under his control at the time of his death.
13 Marcianus libro quarto institutionum. Qui a latronibus capti sunt, cum liberi manent, possunt facere testamentum. 1Item qui apud externos legatione funguntur, possunt facere testamentum. 2Si quis in capitali crimine damnatus appellaverit et medio tempore pendente appellatione fecerit testamentum et ita decesserit, valet eius testamentum.
13 Marcianus, Institutes, Book IV. Those who have been captured by robbers, as they remain free, can make a will. 1Moreover, those who perform the duties of envoys in foreign countries can make a will. 2Where anyone convicted of a capital crime appeals, and makes a will in the meantime, while the appeal is pending, and then dies, his will is valid.
14 Paulus libro secundo regularum. Qui in testamento domini manumissus est, si ignorat dominum decessisse aditamque eius esse hereditatem, testamentum facere non potest, licet iam pater familias et sui iuris est: nam qui incertus de statu suo est, certam legem testamento dicere non potest.
14 Paulus, Rules, Book II. Where a slave manumitted by the will of his master is not aware that the latter is dead, and that the heir has entered upon his estate, he cannot execute a will, even though he may already be the father of a family, and his own master; for he who is uncertain as to his own condition cannot make an absolute testamentary disposition of property.
15 Ulpianus libro duodecimo ad edictum. De statu suo dubitantes vel errantes testamentum facere non possunt, ut divus Pius rescripsit.
15 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XII. Those who entertain any doubt with reference to their condition or are mistaken concerning it cannot execute a will; as the Divine Pius stated in a Rescript.
16 Pomponius libro singulari regularum. Filius familias et servus alienus et postumus et surdus testamenti factionem habere dicuntur: licet enim testamentum facere non possunt, attamen ex testamento vel sibi vel aliis adquirere possunt. 1Marcellus notat: furiosus quoque testamenti factionem habet, licet testamentum facere non potest: ideo autem habet testamenti factionem, quia potest sibi adquirere legatum vel fideicommissum: nam etiam compotibus mentis personales actiones etiam ignorantibus adquiruntur.
16 Pomponius, Rules. It is held that a son under paternal control, the slave of another, a posthumous child, and a deaf person, have the right to take under a will; for, although they cannot execute one, still they can acquire property by a will, either for themselves or for others. 1Marcellus observes that an insane person also has the right to take under a will although he cannot execute one; hence a party is understood to possess this right, because he can acquire for himself either a legacy or a trust, for the right to bring a personal action is also acquired by parties that are not aware of the fact, but who are of sound mind.
17 Paulus libro tertio sententiarum. In adversa corporis valetudine mente captus eo tempore testamentum facere non potest.
17 Paulus, Sentences, Book III. Where a party loses his mind on account of bodily illness, he cannot make a will as long as this condition exists.
18 Ulpianus libro primo ad Sabinum. Is cui lege bonis interdictum est testamentum facere non potest et, si fecerit, ipso iure non valet: quod tamen interdictione vetustius habuerit testamentum, hoc valebit. merito ergo nec testis ad testamentum adhiberi poterit, cum neque testamenti factionem habeat. 1Si quis ob carmen famosum damnetur, senatus consulto expressum est, ut intestabilis sit: ergo nec testamentum facere poterit nec ad testamentum adhiberi.
18 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book I. He who is legally prohibited from managing his own property cannot make a will, and if he should make one, it will not be valid in law. Where, however, he executed a will before his interdiction, it will be valid. Hence it is reasonable that he cannot be offered as a witness to a will, since he has not the right to make one himself. 1Where anyone has been convicted of public libel, it is stated in the Decree of the Senate that he cannot make a will; hence he can neither execute one, nor be offered as a witness to prove the will of another testator.
19 Modestinus libro quinto pandectarum. Si filius familias aut pupillus aut servus tabulas testamenti fecerit signaverit, secundum eas bonorum possessio dari non potest, licet filius familias sui iuris aut pupillus pubes aut servus liber factus decesserit, quia nullae sunt tabulae testamenti, quas is fecit, qui testamenti faciendi facultatem non habuerit.
19 Modestinus, Pandects, Book V. Where a son under paternal control, a ward, or a slave draws up a will and seals it, possession of the property mentioned therein cannot be granted to the legatees, even though the testator should be a son who is independent, or a ward who has reached the age of puberty, or a slave who should become free, at the time of his death; for the reason that a will drawn up by one who has no right to do so is void.
20 Ulpianus libro primo ad Sabinum. Qui testamento heres instituitur, in eodem testamento testis esse non potest. quod in legatario et in eo qui tutor scriptus est contra habetur: hi enim testes possunt adhiberi, si aliud eos nihil impediat, ut puta si impubes, si in potestate sit testatoris. 1Potestatis autem verbum non solum ad liberos qui sunt in potestate referendum est, verum etiam ad eum quem redemit ab hostibus, quamvis placeat hunc servum non esse, sed vinculo quodam retineri, donec pretium solvat. 2Per contrarium quaeri potest, an pater eius, qui de castrensi peculio potest testari, adhiberi ab eo ad testamentum testis possit. et Marcellus libro decimo digestorum scribit posse: et frater ergo poterit. 3Quae autem in testamento diximus super prohibendis testimoniis eorum qui in potestate sunt, in omnibus testimoniis accipias, ubi aliquid negotii geritur, per quod adquiratur. 4Ne furiosus quidem testis adhiberi potest, cum compos mentis non sit: sed si habet intermissionem, eo tempore adhiberi potest: testamentum quoque, quod ante furorem consummavit valebit et bonorum possessio ex eo testamento competit. 5Eum qui lege repetundarum damnatus est ad testamentum adhiberi posse existimo, quoniam in iudicium testis esse vetatur. 6Mulier testimonium dicere in testamento quidem non poterit, alias autem posse testem esse mulierem argumento est lex Iulia de adulteriis, quae adulterii damnatam testem produci vel dicere testimonium vetat. 7Servus quoque merito ad sollemnia adhiberi non potest, cum iuris civilis communionem non habeat in totum, ne praetoris quidem edicti. 8Et veteres putaverunt eos, qui propter sollemnia testamenti adhibentur, durare debere, donec suprema contestatio peragatur. 9Non tamen intellegentiam sermonis exigimus: hoc enim divus Marcus Didio Iuliano in teste, qui Latine non noverat, rescripsit: nam si vel sensu percipiat quis, cui rei adhibitus sit, sufficere. 10Sed si detenti sint inviti ibi testes, putant non valere testamentum.
20 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book I. Where an heir is appointed by will, he cannot be a witness to it. The contrary rule applies to a legatee, and to one who is appointed guardian, for such persons can act as witnesses, if no other impediment exists; as, for instance, where the party had not arrived at puberty, or was under the control of the testator. 1The term “control” not only applies to children who are in the power of their father, but also to one whom the testator has redeemed from the hands of the enemy, although it is established that such a person shall not be a slave, but shall merely be kept under restraint until he has paid the amount of his ransom. 2On the other hand, the question may be asked whether a father can be offered as a witness to a will by which his son disposes of his peculium castrense. And Marcellus states in the Tenth Book of the Digest that he can be a witness, and that his brother can also be one. 3Moreover, what we have stated with reference to the testimony of those who are under the control of a testator being prevented from witnessing a will is applicable to all cases where any kind of business is transacted by means of which property is acquired. 4Nor can an insane person be offered as a witness, as he is not of sound mind. If, however, he has lucid intervals, he can testify during their continuance; a will which he has executed before he became insane will be valid; and he should be entitled to the possession of property in accordance with the terms of the will. 5I think that anyone who has been convicted of embezzlement cannot be a witness to a will, since his testimony in court is forbidden. 6A woman cannot act as a witness to a will, although she can be a witness in court; as is established by the Lex Julia de Adulteriis, which prohibits a witness who has been convicted of adultery from testifying or making a deposition. 7A slave cannot participate in the formalities attaching to the execution of a will, and very properly, as he has no share whatever in the rights conferred by the Civil Law, or indeed in those granted by the Prætorian Edict. 8The ancient authorities thought that those who are summoned to take part in the solemn formalities of a will should remain until the last attestation had been completed. 9We do not, however, require that a witness should understand the language of the testator; for the Divine Marcus, in a Rescript addressed to Didius Julianus, stated this with reference to a witness who was ignorant of the Latin language; for it is sufficient if the witness perceives by his senses for what purpose he was summoned. 10Where the witnesses are detained against their consent, the authorities hold that the will is not valid.
21 Idem libro secundo ad Sabinum. Heredes palam ita, ut exaudiri possunt, nuncupandi sint: licebit ergo testanti vel nuncupare heredes vel scribere: sed si nuncupat, palam debet. quid est palam? non utique in publicum, sed ut exaudiri possit: exaudiri autem non ab omnibus, sed a testibus: et si plures fuerint testes adhibiti, sufficit sollemnem numerum exaudire. 1Si quid post factum testamentum mutari placuit, omnia ex integro facienda sunt. quod vero quis obscurius in testamento vel nuncupat vel scribit, an post sollemnia explanare possit, quaeritur: ut puta Stichum legaverat, cum plures haberet, nec declaravit de quo sentiret: Titio legavit, cum multos Titios amicos haberet: erraverat in nomine vel praenomine vel cognomine, cum in corpore non errasset: poteritne postea declarare, de quo senserit? et puto posse: nihil enim nunc dat, sed datum significat. sed et si notam postea adiecerit legato vel sua voce vel litteris vel summam vel nomen legatarii quod non scripserat vel nummorum qualitatem, an recte fecerit? et puto etiam qualitatem nummorum posse postea addi: nam etsi adiecta non fuisset, utique placeret coniectionem fieri eius quod reliquit vel ex vicinis scripturis vel ex consuetudine patris familias vel regionis. 2In testamentis, in quibus testes rogati adesse debent, ut testamentum fiat, alterius rei causa forte rogatos ad testandum non esse idoneos placet. quod sic accipiendum est, ut, licet ad aliam rem sint rogati vel collecti, si tamen ante testimonium certiorentur ad testamentum se adhibitos, posse eos testimonium suum recte perhibere. 3Uno contextu actus testari oportet. est autem uno contextu nullum actum alienum testamento intermiscere: quod si aliquid pertinens ad testamentum faciat, testamentum non vitiatur.
21 The Same, On Sabinus, Book II. The name of the heir should be plainly spoken, in order that it may be heard. The testator is, therefore, permitted either to mention the heirs by name, or to write down their names, but if he mentions them he must do so distinctly. What does the term “distinctly” mean? It does not mean that this shall be done publicly, but in such a way that the names may be heard, not, indeed, by everyone, but by the witnesses to the will; and where there are several witnesses, it will be sufficient for them to be heard by the number specified by law. 1Where the testator wishes to change his will, it is established that everything must be done over again from the beginning. The question, however, arises whether, after the legal formalities have been complied with, he can explain anything which may happen to be obscure in his will, either in words or in writing. As, for instance, where he makes a bequest of Stichus, when he has several slaves of that name, and did not mention which one he had reference to; or where he makes a bequest to Titius, when he has several friends who are called Titius; or where he has made a mistake either in the name, the title or the surname of a party, but did not make a mistake with reference to the article bequeathed; can he afterwards state what he meant? I think that he can, for he does not give anything by doing so, but merely points out what was given. But if he should subsequently append a note to a legacy, either orally or in writing, or add a certain sum, or insert the name of the legatee which he had not yet filled out, or mention the kind of money with which the legacy is to be paid, will he act in accordance with law? I think that even the kind of money to be paid can afterwards be designated, for where he has not done so, it will be necessary to determine this with reference to the bequest, either from documents drawn up at the same time, or in accordance with the custom of his family or of the province. 2It is held in the case of wills, where witnesses are asked to be present for the purpose of attesting the same, that if they have been summoned for any other purpose, they will not be competent; and it must be understood in this instance that even though they may have been requested to appear, or were collected for some other purpose, and, before they act as witnesses, they are informed that they are to be employed for that purpose, they can legally act as such. 3The will must be drawn up with reference to itself alone, and this is done where nothing foreign to the purpose of the instrument is introduced; but where any act connected with the will is performed, the validity of the latter will not be affected.
22 Idem libro trigesimo nono ad edictum. Ad testium numerum simul adhiberi possumus ut ego et pater et plures, qui fuimus in eiusdem potestate. 1Condicionem testium tunc inspicere debemus, cum signarent, non mortis tempore: si igitur cum signarent, tales fuerint, ut adhiberi possint, nihil nocet, si quid postea eis contigerit. 2Si ab ipso testatore anulum accepero et signavero, testamentum valet, quasi alieno signaverim. 3Si signa turbata sint ab ipso testatore, non videtur signatum. 4Si quis ex testibus nomen suum non adscripserit, verumtamen signaverit, pro eo est atque si adhibitus non esset: et si, ut multi faciunt, adscripserit se, non tamen signaverit, adhuc idem dicemus. 5Signum autem utrum anulo tantum inpressum adhibemus, an vero et si non anulo, verum alio quodam inpresso? varie enim homines signant. et magis est, ut tantum anulo quis possit signare, dum tamen habeat χαρακτῆρα. 6Posse et nocte signari testamentum nulla dubitatio est. 7Signatas tabulas accipi oportet et si linteo, quo tabulae involutae sunt, signa inpressa fuerint.
22 The Same, On the Edict, Book XXXIX. In order to obtain at the same time the legal number of witnesses, the father, the son, and any other persons who are under his control may be called. 1In order to establish the condition of the witnesses, we should consider the time when they attached their seals to the will, and not the time when the testator died. Therefore, if at the time they attached their seals they were competent to do so, the validity of the will can not be questioned if anything should afterwards happen to the witnesses. 2If I take a ring from the testator himself, and make use of it to seal his will, the latter will be valid, just as if I had sealed it with another ring. 3If the seals should be broken by the testator himself, the will will not be held to have been sealed. 4Where one of the witnesses did not sign his name, but, nevertheless, attached his seal, it is the same as if he had not been present; and if he signed it (as many do) without attaching his seal, we hold that the same rule applies. 5Can we only attach our seals by means of a ring, or if we do not use a ring can we do so with any other article, as men frequently do? The better opinion is that the seal can only be impressed by means of a ring, for it must have a form and be engraved with a device. 6There is no doubt that a will can be sealed at night. 7A will must be considered to have been sealed when the seals have been impressed upon the cloth in which it is wrapped.
23 Idem libro quarto disputationum. Si testamentum, quod resignaverit testator, iterum signatum fuerit septem testium signis, non erit inperfectum, sed utroque iure valebit tam civili quam praetorio.
23 The Same, Disputations, Book IV. If the seals of a will have been broken by the testator, and it has been sealed a second time by himself and seven witnesses, it will not be void, but will be valid by both the Prætorian and the Civil Law.
24 Florentinus libro decimo institutionum. Unum testamentum pluribus exemplis consignare quis potest idque interdum necessarium est, forte si navigaturus et secum ferre et relinquere iudiciorum suorum testationem velit.
24 Florentinus, Institutes, Book X. Anyone can make several copies of the same will, and indeed this is sometimes necessary; for example, where the testator is about to take a sea voyage, and desires to leave the will behind him, and take a copy with him.
25 Iavolenus libro quinto posteriorum Labeonis. Si is, qui testamentum faceret, heredibus primis nuncupatis, priusquam secundos exprimeret heredes, obmutuisset, magis coepisse eum testamentum facere quam fecisse Varus digestorum libro primo Servium respondisse scripsit: itaque primos heredes ex eo testamento non futuros. Labeo tum hoc verum esse existimat, si constaret voluisse plures eum, qui testamentum fecisset, heredes pronuntiare: ego nec Servium puto aliud sensisse.
25 Javolenus, On the Last Works of Labeo, Book V. Where anyone who makes a will after having mentioned the first heirs loses the power of speech before he can mention the second ones, the better opinion is that he has begun to make a will rather than that he has made it; which view Verus stated, in the First Book of the Digest, was entertained by Servius; therefore the first heirs appointed cannot take under such a will. Hence Labeo thinks that this is correct, if it should be established that the testator who executed the will intended to appoint several heirs. I do not think that Servius intended anything else.
26 Gaius libro vicesimo secundo ad edictum provinciale. Cum lege quis intestabilis iubetur esse, eo pertinet, ne eius testimonium recipiatur et eo amplius, ut quidam putant, neve ipsi dicatur testimonium.
26 Gaius, On the Provincial Edict, Book XXII. Whenever anyone is declared by law to be incapable of becoming a witness, this means that his testimony cannot be received, and, moreover (as certain authorities hold), that no testimony can be introduced in his behalf.
27 Celsus libro quinto decimo digestorum. Domitius Labeo Celso suo salutem. Quaero, an testimonium numero habendus sit is, qui, cum rogatus est ad testamentum scribendum, idem quoque cum tabulas scripsisset, signaverit. Iuventius Celsus Labeoni suo salutem. Non intellego quid sit, de quo me consulueris, aut valide stulta est consultatio tua: plus enim quam ridiculum est dubitare, an aliquis iure testis adhibitus sit, quoniam idem et tabulas testamenti scripserit.
27 Celsus, Digest, Book XV. “Domitius Labeo to his friend Celsus, Greeting. I ask whether he is to be included in the number of witnesses who, after having been requested to write a will, attached his seal to the same after he had done so.” “Jubentius Celsus, to his friend, Labeo, Greeting. I either do not understand the point with reference to which you desire to consult me, or your request for advice is certainly foolish, for it is ridiculous to doubt whether such a person can act as a witness, since he himself drew up the will.”
28 Modestinus libro nono regularum. Servus licet alienus iussu [ed. maior testatoris] <ed. minor testoris> testamentum scribere non prohibetur.
28 Modestinus, Rules, Book IX. A slave, even though he belongs to another person, is not prohibited from drawing up a will by order of the testator.
29 Paulus libro quarto decimo responsorum. Ex ea scriptura, quae ad testamentum faciendum parabatur, si nullo iure testamentum perfectum esset, nec ea, quae fideicommissorum verba habent peti posse. 1Ex his verbis, quae scriptura pater familias addidit: ταύτην τὴν διαθήκην βούλομαι εἶναι κυρίαν ἐπὶ πάσης ἐξουσίας, videri eum voluisse omnimodo valere ea quae reliquit, etiamsi intestatus decessisset.
29 Paulus, Opinions, Book XIV. Nothing can be claimed under a written instrument which was drawn up as a will, where it was not legally completed, not even where something has been left by way of trust. 1By the following words which the head of a household added to a written document, namely: “I desire this will to be valid as far as possible”; he seems to have intended that every bequest that he left by said document should be valid, even though he might die intestate.
30 Idem libro tertio sententiarum. Singulos testes, qui in testamento adhibentur, proprio chirographo adnotare convenit, quis et cuius testamentum signaverit.
30 The Same, Opinions, Book III. It is proper for every witness to a will to sign his name in his own hand, as well as that of the party to whose will he attached his seal.
31 Idem libro quinto sententiarum. Eius bona, qui se imperatorem facturum heredem esse iactaverat, a fisco occupari non possunt.
31 The Same, Opinions, Book V. The Treasury cannot seize the property of anyone who publicly announces that he is going to make the Emperor his heir.