To make a will, several key legal requirements and steps must be followed to ensure the will is valid and your wishes are properly documented:
- Be of legal age (usually 18 or over) and of sound mind, making the will voluntarily.
- Put the will in writing. Handwritten wills are valid in some jurisdictions if fully handwritten by you.
- Clearly identify yourself and state the document is your last will and testament.
- Specify your beneficiaries—the people or organizations who will inherit your assets.
- Describe your assets and how you want them distributed.
- Appoint executors who will carry out the terms of your will.
- Sign the will in the presence of at least two adult witnesses who also sign the will in your presence.
- Do not allow witnesses (or their spouses) to be beneficiaries, as this may invalidate the gift to them.
- Keep the will safely, and consider registering it for easy location after your passing.
- You can change your will later by creating a new will or making properly witnessed amendments.
In some places, additional options like creating a notarial will (involving a notary) or using online will-writing services exist. If the will is complex, such as involving trusts or children from previous relationships, professional legal advice is recommended. These points summarize general guidance from sources including official government sites and legal advice groups.
