Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by Spanish Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Spanish speakers from Spain when writing a Will & Testament in English.

Mistake Example #1

Misuse of present continuous ('I am having 30 years of experience' instead of 'I have 30 years of experience')

I am writing this Will and Testament to ensure my wishes are clear. I am leaving my house to my daughter, Maria, because she ihas livinged with me for many years and hastakieng care of me. I amalso giving my car to my son, Javier, as he isneedings it for his work, and I amtrusting him to use it wisely.

Text corrected by:
Camille, Maryland, USA

"Your thoughts are all very clear. I have just edited the tenses for greater fluency. "

I am writing this Will and Testament to ensure my wishes are clear. I am leaving my house to my daughter, Maria, because she has lived with me for many years and has taken care of me. I am giving my car to my son, Javier, as he needs it for his work, and I trust him to use it wisely.

I am writing this Will and Testament to ensure my wishes are clear. I am leaving my house to my daughter, Maria, because she is living with me for many years and taking care of me. I am also giving my car to my son, Javier, as he is needing it for his work and I am trusting him to use it wisely.

Mistake Example #2

Confusion between 'do' and 'make' ('I make a mistake' instead of 'I made a mistake')

I, Juan Martínez, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I make the decision to leave my house to my daughter, Maria, and I domake a request that she takes care of it with love. Furthermore, I make a donation of my books to the local library, hoping theyir use doaes gooduse of them for the community.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"I fixed some issues with "do" and "make" and changed a few more words so the English would sound more natural."

I, Juan Martínez, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I make the decision to leave my house to my daughter, Maria, and I make a request that she take care of it with love. Furthermore, I make a donation of my books to the local library, hoping their use does good for the community.

I, Juan Martínez, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament. I make the decision to leave my house to my daughter, Maria, and I do a request that she takes care of it with love. Furthermore, I make a donation of my books to the local library, hoping they do a good use of them for the community.

Mistake Example #3

Direct translations from Spanish ('It makes sense' vs. 'It has sense')

I, Juan Carlos Martínez, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It hmakes sense to me that my estate is divided equally among my three children, Maria, Jose, and Lucia. I aAlso, I wish to leave my beloved guitar to my nephew, Miguel, because it has beenalwaysbeen a source of joy in my life.

Text corrected by:
Vince, United States

"Just a few minor tweaks to refine the writing :) Good work! "

I, Juan Carlos Martínez, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It makes sense to me that my estate is divided equally among my three children, Maria, Jose, and Lucia. Also, I wish to leave my beloved guitar to my nephew, Miguel, because it has always been a source of joy in my life.

I, Juan Carlos Martínez, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. It has sense to me that my estate is divided equally among my three children, Maria, Jose, and Lucia. I also wish to leave my beloved guitar to my nephew, Miguel, because it has been always a source of joy in my life.