A Last Will and Testament is one of the most important legal documents a person can create during his or her lifetime.  If a person dies without a Will they are said to have died “intestate” and state laws will determine how and to whom the person’s assets will be distributed.

If a person dies without a Will the beneficiaries can not dispute the court’s distribution of that person’s estate under the intestacy laws. Even if that person expressed different wishes verbally during their lifetime the statutes control the distribution.  With a valid Will, a person can legally determine how their property will be distributed… and to whom. 

A Will must meet the legal requirements set forth by the state in order for it to be valid.  Most states will also accept a Will that was executed in another state if the document is a valid Will under that state’s law.  The general requirements for a valid Will are usually as follows:  (a) the document must be written (meaning typed or printed), (b) signed by the person making the Will (usually called the “testator” or “testatrix”, and (c) signed by two witnesses who were present to witness the execution of the document by the maker and who also witnessed each other sign the document.

If a Will’s authenticity is unchallenged it may be probated in a simplified procedure if it has been self-proven.  Witnesses to a self-proven Will are not required to testify in court because the court automatically accepts a self-proven Will as authentic.  To self-prove a Will the testator and the witnesses must affirm to the authenticity of the Will in an affidavit before a notary and have the notary stamp the affidavit.

Hopefully these guidelines have helped make your estate planning decisions easier.  For information regarding your specific circumstances you should always contact an attorney in your area.