Your last will and testament is a legal document that helps support your financial legacy, which makes it important to your peace of mind and to the future of your loved ones. Creating a will requires care and focus, but you can get the job done without the need for costly legal guidance. Turn to a reputable online estate planning company to walk you through the process with printable last will and testament templates and to safely store them for you as well.
What Is a Printable Written Last Will and Testament?
A printable written last will and testament is a legal document that is written online and is subsequently printed out and physically signed. Your last will and testament will guide the distribution of your assets and properties after you pass, and it should include an estate administrator. This administrator is responsible for seeing that the instructions included in your will are carried out in accordance with your wishes and for guiding the probate process. The basic elements of a last will and testament include all the following:
- Identifying your assets and properties that are not held in trust or are not beneficiary based
- Naming an administrator or executor of your estate
- Assigning beneficiaries who will receive specific assets upon your passing
- Determining the matter of your minor children’s guardianship – in the event you and their other parent are both gone
If you die without a will in place, it’s referred to as dying intestate. In these instances, the estate of the person who dies – known as the decedent – is automatically transferred to the estate of the probate court, which will distribute the assets therein according to the state’s laws of intestacy.
Drafting a Last Will and Testament – Step by Step
There are eight primary steps involved in writing a legally binding last will and testament, and each should be carefully considered.
One: Include Information that Specifically Identifies You
By including identifying information, you help to eliminate any doubt that it was you who created the will in question. Including all the following is the best practice:
- Your full name
- Your current address
- Your driver’s license number
- Your social security number (SSN)
Two: Verify Your Age and Mental Capacity
In order to write a valid will, you must be at least 18 years old. Further, you must be of sound mind – a person who is mentally impaired does not have the legal capacity to craft a legally binding will. As such, your will should state your age and that you are mentally capable of producing a legally binding will.
Three: Specify the Executor of Your Estate
The executor of your estate is the person whom you choose to ensure that your included wishes are carried out, which makes naming an executor an important part of your will. The executor you choose should be someone you trust to carry out this critical responsibility. If you fail to name an executor, the court will appoint one.
Four: Specify Guardianship of Your Minor Children
While it is very unlikely that both you and your minor children’s other parent will pass before they reach adulthood, it’s an important matter to address, nonetheless. Choosing someone whom you trust to care for and love your children the way you do is essential and can help calm your concerns regarding their ongoing well-being.
Five: Assign Beneficiaries
An important component of your will is assigning those people whom you’ve selected as beneficiaries. Being as exact as you can be about the distribution of your assets helps to ensure that your wishes will prevail and helps to avoid infighting amongst your loved ones during the grieving process.
Six: Specify Your Funeral Details
If you have certain wishes regarding your funeral and burial, including them in your last will and testament is the surest means of having them carried out, and doing so helps to alleviate some of the burden your loved one’s experience during their time of grief.
Seven: Sign and Date the Document
To make your will legally binding, it’s important to sign and date the document. Further, you should do so in the presence of two witnesses and a notary – who will also add their signatures.
Eight: Keep Your Will in a Safe Place
Your will is only legally binding if it can be found. Keeping your will in a safe place where it can be located when the time comes is paramount.
Can I Write My Own Last Will and Testament without a Lawyer?
The good news is that you can write your own last will and testament without hiring an estate planning attorney. TrustHandled a trusted online estate planning company will walk you through the process, helping to make sure you create a legally binding document that reflects your wishes and that is stored securely until the future date when it is needed.
Get Help with a Last Will and Testament
Writing a will is not beyond your capabilities. An online estate planning company that offers carefully crafted, streamlined templates can help you get the job done, while putting your related concerns to rest.
TrustHandled Is Here to Help
TrustHandled is an online estate planning company that recognizes how important your last will and testament is to you in terms of your peace of mind, which is our foremost priority. We provide easy-to-use templates along with clear instructions that walk you through the process from start to finish.
Once your will is in good shape, we also provide secure online storage that ensures the legal document is easy to locate and access – whether you need to modify it due to a major life transition or the time has come for the document to be implemented.
Our focus is on providing you with the tools you need to address your estate planning needs without the attendant fuss or exorbitant expense.
