Free Last Will and Testament – What is a Last Will and Testament?
Free Last Will and testament - What is a Last Will?
A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that outlines a person’s property, financial, and family wishes to be carried out after they pass away. In a last will, a person can provide detailed instructions pertaining to distribution of their property, and when prepared properly, it is legal and binding. The person that creates the will is called a testator. Along with outlining the testator’s desires for the distribution of assets after death, a last will can appoint a desired guardian for any minor children. In most cases, testators should designate a second-in-line guardian in case their first choice cannot accept responsibility. If one is not designated, courts will decide who gets custody of the children. A Free Last Will and Testament can be drafted by anyone over the age of eighteen. A person can retain an attorney in order to create a will, but however, it’s not required and many people easily create their own last wills. For the will to be binding, it must meet minimum requirements. The testator must identify themselves as the one who made the will, and state that the document is in fact their last will and testament. This requirement can easily be fulfilled by including the words “last will and testament” along with their full given name. The testator must also revoke any previously drafted wills, and if they fail to include all this information, previous wills may take legal precedence. The testator must also have the mental fortitude to create a legal document. This is usually proven with the inclusion of a statement that the testator is of sound mind (that information is usually given in the first portion of the will). The testator must sign and date the will in front of at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. There should be no text after the testator’s signature- in fact, in many places, the presence of text after the signature can negate the whole will. | |
