A last will and testament states who inherits your property, who settles your estate (your executor), and who would raise your minor children. Without one, your state's intestacy rules decide all of that for you.
This template produces a clear, plain-English will you download in Word and PDF. Print it and sign it with two witnesses as your state requires.
What your will controls (and what it does not)
Your will controls property owned in your sole name: bank accounts, vehicles, personal belongings, and your share of real estate. It does not override beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts (401(k), IRA), or payable-on-death accounts: those pass directly to the named beneficiary regardless of the will. Review those designations alongside your will.
Choosing your executor, guardian, and beneficiaries
- Executor: pick someone organized and trustworthy, ideally living nearby. Always name an alternate.
- Guardian: the single most important decision for parents of minor children. Talk to the person before naming them.
- Beneficiaries: name a residuary beneficiary for everything not specifically gifted, plus an alternate in case they do not survive you.
Signing your will so it is valid
Nearly every state requires the same core formalities: you must sign the will (or direct someone to sign for you) in the presence of two adult witnesses, and the witnesses must sign in your presence. Witnesses should not be beneficiaries. Many states also allow a self-proving affidavit signed before a notary, which lets the court accept the will without tracking down the witnesses later. Store the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is.
When to see an estate planning attorney
This template suits straightforward estates. If your estate may owe federal estate tax, you own a business, you have a blended family with competing interests, or you expect the will to be contested, consult an estate planning attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Does my will need to be notarized?
The will itself usually does not: two witnesses make it valid in most states. Notarization is used for the optional self-proving affidavit, which speeds up probate by letting the court accept the will without contacting the witnesses.
Can I change my will later?
Yes. You can make a new will at any time while mentally competent; the new will revokes the old one. For small changes, a codicil (a signed, witnessed amendment) also works, but rewriting the will is usually cleaner.
What happens if I die without a will?
Your state's intestacy statute distributes your property according to a fixed formula, usually to your spouse and children first. A court chooses your estate administrator and, if you have minor children, their guardian, without your input.
Can my spouse and I write one joint will?
It is strongly discouraged. Joint wills create serious problems for the surviving spouse. Each spouse should sign their own will, even if the contents mirror each other.
Who should witness my will?
Two adults who are not beneficiaries and have no interest in your estate. In many states a gift to a witness is void or reduced, so keep beneficiaries out of the signing room except to sign as testator.