What is the purpose of a self-proving affidavit?

A self-proving affidavit serves the purpose of providing a substitute for live witness testimony. This legal document is typically attached to a will and is signed by the testator and witnesses, affirming that the will was executed properly and in accordance with the law. By including a self-proving affidavit, the probate process can be streamlined. It reduces the need for witnesses to come forward and testify about the execution of the will, which can often be a time-consuming and complicated aspect of probate proceedings. This is particularly beneficial when witnesses may be unavailable, unwilling, or deceased by the time the will is submitted for probate.

In the context of this question, the answers related to affirming the testator's age, serving as a direct witness, or confirming the wording of the will do not capture the core function of the self-proving affidavit. Its primary role is to facilitate the acceptance of the will in probate without necessitating the presence of witnesses to provide testimony about the execution of the will.