The owner of the land at issue (P) deeded it over to his son (D). D then executed another deed which granted P a life estate in half of the property. The second deed was witnessed by only one person, in violation of the formal requirements of the applicable statute. P later filed this action, attempting to gain possession of the land in accordance with the deed. D claimed that the deed was invalid for failure to meet the formal requirements set forth in the statute regarding conveyances by deed.