Last Will and Testament Sample
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address]
[Date]
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
I, [Your Full Name], of [City, State], being of sound mind and disposing memory, hereby declare this document to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all previous wills and codicils made by me.
ARTICLE I: DECLARATION I declare that I am making this will voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence. I am of legal age to make a will and am competent to do so.
ARTICLE II: FAMILY INFORMATION I am married to [Spouse's Full Name], and all references in this will to my spouse are to [him/her]. I have the following children:
- [Child's Full Name], born [Date of Birth]
- [Child's Full Name], born [Date of Birth] [If applicable, add more children or state if you have no children.]
ARTICLE III: EXECUTOR I appoint [Executor's Full Name] of [Executor's City, State] as the Executor of my will. If [he/she] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [Alternate Executor's Full Name] of [Alternate Executor's City, State] as the alternate executor.
ARTICLE IV: GUARDIANSHIP If my spouse does not survive me, I appoint [Guardian's Full Name] of [Guardian's City, State] as the guardian of my minor children. If [he/she] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [Alternate Guardian's Full Name] of [Alternate Guardian's City, State] as the alternate guardian.
ARTICLE V: SPECIFIC BEQUESTS I make the following specific bequests:
- I bequeath [Description of Item/Asset] to [Beneficiary's Full Name].
- I bequeath [Description of Item/Asset] to [Beneficiary's Full Name]. [Continue with additional specific bequests as desired.]
ARTICLE VI: RESIDUARY ESTATE I give the residue of my estate, including all personal and real property not otherwise disposed of, to my spouse, [Spouse's Full Name]. If my spouse does not survive me, I direct that the residue of my estate be divided equally among my children.
ARTICLE VII: POWERS OF EXECUTOR I grant my executor the following powers, to be exercised as [he/she] deems in the best interests of my estate:
- To sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property.
- To settle any claims for or against my estate.
- To retain, invest, and manage assets, and to employ professionals as necessary.
ARTICLE VIII: BOND I direct that no bond or other security be required of any executor or trustee appointed in this will.
ARTICLE IX: CONTESTATION If any beneficiary named in this will contests or challenges this will or any provision hereof, any share or interest in my estate given to such contesting beneficiary shall be revoked and disposed of as if that beneficiary had predeceased me.
ARTICLE X: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- This will shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].
- If any provision of this will is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [Day] of [Month], [Year].
[Your Signature] [Your Printed Name]
WITNESSES
We, the undersigned witnesses, do hereby declare that the testator, [Your Full Name], signed and executed this instrument as [his/her] Last Will and Testament, and that [he/she] signed it willingly, and that each of us, in the presence and hearing of the testator, hereby signs this will as witness to the testator's signing, and that to the best of our knowledge the testator is of legal age, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.
[Witness 1's Signature] [Witness 1's Printed Name] [Witness 1's Address]
[Witness 2's Signature] [Witness 2's Printed Name] [Witness 2's Address]
[Notarization, if required by your state laws.]
This document serves as a sample and should be reviewed and tailored to your specific circumstances by a qualified attorney to ensure compliance with applicable laws.