Key Takeaways

• A will outlines asset distribution, guardianship, and executors
• State laws determine witnessing and execution requirements
• Executors manage estates after death, not during incapacity
• Wills should be updated after major life changes
• Clear communication can reduce family conflict

A will is a legal document that explains how an estate is handled after death, including who manages assets, who inherits property, and who becomes a child’s guardian. Creating a will typically involves choosing an executor, naming beneficiaries, following state execution rules, and keeping the document up to date as life circumstances change.

When it comes to estate planning, a will is crucial — yet 35% of Americans say estate planning is “for rich people.” Making a will isn’t a pleasant task to consider, but neglecting to put your wishes in writing can cause headaches for your family down the road.

Especially today, with financial lives getting increasingly complex, it’s strongly recommended to have a well-executed will and other estate planning documents. In this article, we cover nine basic considerations that are crucial to preparing a will. However, probate laws governing wills vary from state to state, so it’s important to contact a local estate planning attorney to assist you with your specific situation.

Read more: How do I create a solid estate plan? Get a Sense Check

The basics of creating a will

Let’s start with the basic definition of a will. A will is a legal document that allows you (the testator) to assign someone to manage your estate after you die, declare who will become the guardian for your children, and who will receive specific items or property from your estate. The person you name in the will to manage your estate is called the executor. In some states, the executor is called a personal representative.

While creating a will makes some people uncomfortable, procrastinating can be costly. Adults who die without a will subject their property to disbursements made by a probate court in accordance with state law. This is called being intestate, and different states have different intestacy laws.

Without a will, there is no executor, so a judge will appoint an administrator to preside over your estate. The appointed administrator is often not the same person who you would choose as your executor and may not always act in accordance with your wishes. Typically, an intestate probate process directs the assets in your estate to pass to your next of kin, and you might have different intentions about the beneficiaries of your estate.

To avoid that, we recommend creating a will. Here are nine aspects to consider during this process.

Nine important considerations in creating a will

1. Determine who will draft your will

With the wealth of information available online, some people are opting for do-it-yourself (DIY) wills or online wills. If you choose a DIY approach, there are digital tools that can help ensure you have all the basic elements of writing a will covered. Some popular online services include legalzoom.com and nolo.com. However, because wills are legal documents, most people need professional input to ensure that their wishes are correctly communicated and both federal and state laws are satisfied. Given the complexities of estate planning laws, it can make sense to consult with an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Sound legal advice can help you navigate the intricacies of this process.

Read more: 5 essential estate planning documents

2. You will need witnesses

If you take the DIY route, you’ll need to find your own witnesses. State laws vary, so you may need to do a little research on what the requirements are for your situation. In many cases, witnesses cannot be heirs, for example.

3. Select your executor

The executor (or personal representative) is the person you choose to administer your estate. The executor does not have to be a beneficiary of the estate. You can select a friend or family member or choose a corporate executor, such as an attorney or bank. If you select a professional executor, compensation will be mandatory. Some people also arrange for the estate to compensate a designated friend or family member, since the process can be time consuming. An executor is often confused with a power of attorney, but they have different roles. An executor is the person you name to take care of your estate after you die, while a power of attorney handles matters for your estate while you are alive should you become disabled or incapacitated.

4. Be specific

Your will should include specific instructions for the distribution of your estate, including detailed lists of unique items and instructions for selling or otherwise liquidating your assets. For substantial assets like investment accounts, large bank accounts, certain insurance policies and real estate, you might have selected beneficiaries who are too young (minor children), suffer from a disability or have shown financial irresponsibility. Your attorney could recommend that your executor transfer assets to this type of beneficiary through a trust, so that a trustee of your choice could distribute smaller installments of the inheritance to your beneficiary at certain times of your choosing. Increasingly, people are including a separate letter of instruction which further outlines their wishes but doesn’t require a public filing. This is for personal reasons and to create more intimate communication with loved ones during a difficult time.

5. Don’t neglect your digital assets

A letter of instruction may be a good place to address your digital assets. Your will could authorize the person you wish to have responsibility for handling those accounts and give details about where your access credentials — like usernames and passwords — are stored. Never include access information directly in your will. A will is a public document, and you don’t want your passwords to be exposed when your will is filed with the courts.

Read more: Digital estate planning: Preserve wealth and security by thinking ahead

6. Consider who to include as your beneficiaries

This may seem simple on the surface, but for non-liquid or non-traditional assets, choosing beneficiaries can be complicated. For example, do you have a prized 1965 Corvette in the garage, a Steinway piano in the family room, or your grandma’s china in storage? You can’t divide these items unless they are sold, so perhaps one person would inherit a unique asset.

Read more: What is a beneficiary?

7. Communicate with your heirs before you die

It might seem awkward to have these conversations but talking through your estate plan early can save a lot of heartache. For example, a conversation might reveal that the person you’ve selected to receive your grandma’s china doesn’t want the burden, but another family member would be overjoyed to inherit it.

8. Keep your will current

Life is about change, so your will needs to keep pace. You may not want your assets going to the spouse you just divorced, for example. Be sure to review your will every few years or whenever you have a significant life change. Also, keep the details of your digital accounts updated, which may require more frequent reviews.

9. Store your will in a safe place and let people you trust know how to access it

You don’t want your will to languish in a hidden location while your heirs scramble to figure out what to do next. Let more than one person know where and how to access your will.

Read more: Coining a legacy: How Americans plan to leave their mark

Bringing it all together

Creating a will is a key part of a successful estate plan and will help protect your legacy and loved ones when you are gone. Staying on top of estate planning requires proactive, ongoing actions, but it can ease estate management burdens after your death. Consider it a final gift to your family during what is likely to be a high-stress period in their lives.

An estate planning attorney can provide insight into the legal requirements necessary to properly execute (or sign) a last will and testament.

Frequently asked questions

What is a will?

A will is a legal document that specifies how assets are distributed, who manages the estate, and who serves as guardian for minor children after death.

Do all adults need a will?

Most adults benefit from having a will, especially those with dependents, property, or specific wishes for asset distribution.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

If someone dies intestate, state law determines how assets are distributed, and a court appoints an administrator.

Can a will name guardians for children?

Yes. A will is the primary document used to name guardians for minor children.

How often should a will be updated?

A will should be reviewed every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

Are digital assets included in a will?

Yes, but access details should be stored separately, often in a letter of instruction.