How to Tell if a Signature Is Forged: 7 Red Flags Attorneys Should Know
When a signature becomes the center of a dispute, everything changes. Estates shift. Contracts unravel. Financial liability flips. What looks like a simple line of ink suddenly becomes the difference between justice and injustice—and attorneys are often the first line of defense.
But forged signatures rarely look “messy” or “obvious.” Many are created by people who practice, study the original writer’s hand, and try to mimic the rhythm. That’s why attorneys need to know the early warning signs before a case ever reaches an examiner.
Below are seven red flags that should immediately raise suspicion—drawn from patterns I’ve seen repeatedly in high-conflict cases.
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1. Unnatural Pen Lifts
Most people write signatures in one continuous motion. Forgeries often contain extra pauses or pen lifts where the forger stops to recalibrate. These breaks can interrupt the flow, creating a staccato look instead of the effortless glide seen in genuine signatures.
What attorneys should look for:
• Tiny gaps between letters
• A stop-start effect
• Variations in ink deposition where pressure changed mid-stroke
Why it matters:
Pen lifts signal hesitation—something genuine writers rarely have when signing their own name.
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2. Tremors or Shaky Lines
Healthy writers don’t tremble while signing. Forgeries frequently show micro-shakes because mimicking someone else’s pattern requires slow, unnatural movement.
Red flags:
• Wavy or irregular strokes
• Lines that look “drawn,” not written
• Loss of smooth confidence
These tremors are often invisible without magnification—which is why examiners use microscopes and oblique lighting—but attorneys can often see the “vibration” effect even from a clear scanned copy.
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3. Inconsistent Slant and Angle
A genuine signature has a natural slant, formed by muscle memory. A forger will often drift—leaning too far left, then suddenly upright, then slanted again.
Look for:
• Angle changes letter-to-letter
• A slant that doesn’t match the person’s known writing
• Overall “tilt inconsistency” across the line
Slant instability is one of the strongest early indicators of disguise or imitation.
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4. Slow or Labored Movement
A real signature is fast. Your brain knows how to write your name, so your hand moves automatically. A forged signature often looks careful or over-constructed.
Signs of slow movement:
• Heavy ink pools at the start or end of strokes
• Overly perfect curves
• Too-even pressure (as if someone is tracing)
Skillful forgers “draw” signatures rather than write them—and drawing leaves evidence.
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5. Size Distortion
People rarely alter the size of their signature from one day to the next. Forgeries often appear too big (due to exaggeration) or too small (due to fear of slipping off-course).
What to check:
• Compare the questioned signature to several known exemplars
• Measure height, width, and proportion of letters
• Notice cramped or stretched shapes
Size inconsistency is especially common in estate and probate cases.
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6. Patchy or Inconsistent Pressure
When someone writes naturally, pressure rises and falls with emotion, speed, and muscle memory. A forger tries so hard to stay controlled that the pressure becomes unnaturally uniform—or unnaturally erratic.
Pressure clues:
• Letters that look “embossed” into the paper
• Areas where ink is unusually faint
• Sharp pressure drops mid-stroke
Examiners use laboratory lighting to see this, but attorneys can catch the obvious patterns.
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7. A Signature That Doesn’t Match the Writer’s Identity
The most overlooked red flag is often the simplest:
Does the signature match the person’s known writing style… or their life?
A signature that suddenly becomes:
• perfectly elegant when the writer has poor handwriting
• dramatically different after an illness
• unusually neat for someone with arthritis
• rushed for someone known to write slowly
…is almost always worth a deeper look.
Context matters. Life circumstances matter. And sudden changes matter most.
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When Should Attorneys Bring in a Forensic Document Examiner?
The earlier, the better. Attorneys often wait until late in litigation to involve an expert, but involving one at the beginning can:
• Strengthen demand letters
• Influence settlement
• Prevent costly strategic mistakes
• Provide clarity before choosing a legal direction
Even a quick preliminary opinion can save clients thousands by avoiding unnecessary battles.
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How I Approach Signature Verification
My methodology is precise, structured, and designed to hold up under scrutiny. I examine:
• slant
• speed
• rhythm
• pressure
• spacing
• pen lifts
• stroke sequencing
• internal consistency vs. known exemplars
A signature is not just ink—it’s behavior. And behavior leaves patterns.
With six years of experience, advanced training through the International School of Forensic Document Examination, and direct mentorship under Bart Baggett—one of the most regarded examiners in the country—I focus on giving attorneys the clarity they need to move their cases forward with confidence.
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If you’re unsure whether a signature is forged
Send the document (or the situation) to my office.
My team will guide you on whether:
• it likely needs a full examination
• a preliminary review is enough
• or if the signature appears consistent with the writer’s known habits
Office Email: hello@tigerlilytaylor.com
Website: TigerlilyTaylor.com
You shouldn’t have to guess.
That’s what I’m here for.