{"id":1365,"date":"2025-06-19T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/?p=1365"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:50:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:50:48","slug":"advice-writing-last-will-testament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/advice-writing-last-will-testament\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice on the writing of your Last Will and Testament"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Article\",\n  \"headline\": \"Advice on the Writing of Your Last Will and Testament\",\n  \"datePublished\": \"2014-09-16\",\n  \"dateModified\": \"2025-06-02\",\n  \"author\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Person\",\n    \"name\": \"Tim Hewson\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\"\n  },\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"USLegalWills.com\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\"\n  },\n  \"description\": \"Expert advice on writing your Last Will and Testament, including key steps, common mistakes, and how to get started with an online Will service.\",\n  \"speakable\": {\n    \"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\",\n    \"cssSelector\": [\".tldr-box\", \"article h2\", \"article h3\"]\n  }\n}<\/script>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is a Last Will and Testament?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed, who will care for your minor children, and who will manage your estate after your death. It must be signed in the presence of two witnesses to be legally valid in most U.S. states.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Do I need a lawyer to write a Will?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"No. You do not need a lawyer to write a legally valid Will. Online Will services like USLegalWills.com allow you to create a comprehensive Last Will and Testament by answering guided questions, then printing and signing the document with two witnesses.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What should I include in my Will?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Your Will should include: appointment of an Executor, guardians for minor children, distribution of assets, specific bequests, residual estate instructions, and funeral or burial wishes. You should also consider digital assets, pets, and charitable bequests.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Originally published: September 16, 2014 | Last updated: June 2, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group tldr-box has-background\" style=\"border-left-color:#2980b9;border-left-width:4px;background-color:#f0f7fb;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>TL;DR:<\/strong> Writing a Last Will and Testament does not require a lawyer. You can create a legally valid Will online in about 20 minutes using a guided service like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USLegalWills.com<\/a>. Your Will should name an Executor, appoint guardians for minor children, and specify how your assets will be distributed. Print and sign the document in the presence of two witnesses to make it legally binding.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Most Americans need to have a Last Will and Testament as their most essential legal document yet more than 60% of American adults lack this document.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"818\" height=\"585\" data-attachment-id=\"1994\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/advice-writing-last-will-testament\/33834437-last-will-and-testament\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"818,585\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;33834437 - last will and testament&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;stuartburf\/123RF&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;33834437 - last will and testament&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"33834437 &amp;#8211; last will and testament\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Copyright: &lt;a href=&#039;https:\/\/www.123rf.com\/profile_stuartburf&#039;&gt;stuartburf \/ 123RF Stock Photo&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m.jpg\" alt=\"Last will and testament document\" class=\"wp-image-1994\" style=\"width:818px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/33834437_m-770x551.jpg 770w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Copyright: stuartburf \/ 123RF Stock Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Last Will and Testament?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to create a Last Will and Testament when your mind operates properly because this document lets you choose how your estate should be handled after your death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Asset distribution<\/strong>  &#8211;  who receives your property, savings, investments, and personal belongings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key appointments<\/strong>  &#8211;  naming an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/named-executor-of-a-will-now-what\/\">Executor<\/a> to manage your estate and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/choose-guardian-children\/\">guardians<\/a> for minor children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Specific instructions<\/strong>  &#8211;  funeral wishes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/digital-assets\/\">digital asset<\/a> management, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/pets-in-a-will\/\">pet care<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/planned-giving-charitable-bequests\/\">charitable bequests<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I Need a Lawyer to Write a Will?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No. A lawyer is not required to write a legally valid Will in any U.S. state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our guides about Will costs and payment recommendations offer readers a detailed breakdown of all available options and their associated expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should I Include in My Will?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every comprehensive Will needs to include these essential elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Component<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Purpose<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Executor<\/strong><\/td><td>The person who manages your estate and carries out your wishes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Guardians<\/strong><\/td><td>Who will raise your minor children if both parents die<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Asset distribution<\/strong><\/td><td>Specific bequests and residual estate instructions<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Digital assets<\/strong><\/td><td>Social media accounts, online banking, cryptocurrency<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Pet care<\/strong><\/td><td>Who will care for your animals and funds set aside for their care<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Funeral wishes<\/strong><\/td><td>Burial or cremation preferences and memorial instructions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find our complete guide for Will writing through two resources which include a 10-step process and our ultimate Will preparation manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are the Most Common Mistakes When Writing a Will?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most frequent mistakes people make with DIY Wills include missing signatures from proper witnesses and failing to establish backup beneficiaries and neglecting to revise their Will after important life changes occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/updating-your-will\/\">When and how to update your Will<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Some Special Considerations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You will need to address different matters depending on how your personal circumstances unfold:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The blended family Wills guide explains how to create special arrangements which protect children from previous relationships and multiple marriages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can find answers about Will writing through our resource which explains Will significance or you can contact us for assistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surveys consistently show that fewer than 40% of American adults have a Will.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How Do I Get Started?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can create your Last Will and Testament right now at USLegalWills.com .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Do So Many Americans Not Have a Will?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Surveys consistently show that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/americans-without-wills\/\">fewer than 40% of American adults<\/a> have a Will. The most common reasons include procrastination, perceived cost, and the belief that estate planning is only for the wealthy. None of these reasons hold up under scrutiny  &#8211;  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/making-a-will\/\">here are five reasons not to procrastinate<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do I Get Started?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can create your Last Will and Testament right now at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USLegalWills.com<\/a>. The process takes about 20 minutes. Answer guided questions about your family, assets, and wishes, then print and sign in front of two witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have questions about writing your Will, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/why-you-need-a-will\/\">read why you need a Will<\/a> or get in touch  &#8211;  we are happy to help you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Originally published: September 16, 2014 | Last updated: June 2, 2025 TL;DR: Writing a Last Will and Testament does not require a lawyer. You can create a legally valid Will online in about 20 minutes using a guided service like USLegalWills.com. Your Will should name an Executor, appoint guardians for minor children, and specify how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[183,178],"tags":[44,135,69,73,114,201],"class_list":["post-1365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-wills","tag-beneficiaries-2","tag-estate-planning","tag-executor","tag-guardians","tag-write-your-will","tag-writing-a-will"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>Advice on the writing of your Last Will and Testament<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Preparing your own legal Last Will and Testament can be intimidating. 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All adults need to have one because state intestacy laws\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Wills&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Wills","link":"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/category\/wills\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Will-with-pen-and-glasses.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Will-with-pen-and-glasses.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Will-with-pen-and-glasses.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Will-with-pen-and-glasses.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1377,"url":"https:\/\/www.uslegalwills.com\/blog\/holographic-will\/","url_meta":{"origin":1365,"position":3},"title":"The holographic Will","author":"Tim Hewson","date":"July 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Originally published: September 24, 2014 | Last updated: June 16, 2025 TL;DR: A holographic Will is a handwritten Will that may not require witnesses in some states. 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