For the purposes of a Will, children include both those that were born to the Testator as well as those that have been legally adopted by the Testator. The Testator should note whether they are married and, if so, the name of their spouse, as well as whether they have any children. There are several major decisions that the testator must make to accomplish this task. Use this document to explain how the Testator's estate should be distributed among the people they name. Being of sound mind means that the Testator is aware of what they are signing, know the general nature and amount of property they own, and know the relatives or descendants that would usually be expected to share in the estate. In order to make a Will, the Testator must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. Desire to add or remove beneficiaries named in a prior Will.Ī Will is an important tool that allows a Testator to make important decisions about how their estate will be handled while they still have the capacity to do so.Birth or adoption of a new child in the family.Death of an Executor, Trustee, Guardian, or significant named beneficiary.Moving to another state (not all states recognize out-of-state Wills as valid).Significant change in amount of money or property owned.Marriage or divorce (a change in marital status may void an old Will).
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People often create a new Will or update their existing Will for the following reasons: Creating a Will as a part of an estate plan ensures the person making the will, known as the Testator, will have their wishes followed and that the people closest to them are taken care of. A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that details how a person's assets and property will be distributed after their death.