Sample Basic Will

There is no standard, legally foolproof will. State laws vary, as do the needs of people making wills. This sample is designed to give you an idea what a will might look like and why certain language is in it.

I, Tess Tatrix, residing at 1 Wilthereza Way, any town, any state, declare this to be my Will, and I revoke any and all wills and codicils I previously made.

The opening sentence should make it clear that this document is intended to be your will, give your name, place of residence and revoke any previous wills and codicils (amendments to previous wills). This can help avoid a court battle if someone should produce an earlier will.

ARTICLE I: Funeral expenses & payment of debts

I direct my executors to pay my enforceable unsecured debts and funeral expenses, the expenses of my last illness, and the expenses of administering my estate.

By law, debts must be paid before other assets are distributed. This clause gives your executor authority to pay the funeral home, court costs, and hospital expenses. Using the term "enforceable" prevents creditors from reviving debts you are no longer obliged to pay, usually those discharged in bankruptcy. And the term "unsecured" prevents a court from interpreting this clause to mean that your estate must pay off your mortgage or other secured debts that you probably don't want immediately paid off. Note: in some states, the executor is required by law to pay enforceable unsecured debts. In these states, this clause is unnecessary and may create problems.

ARTICLE II: Money & Personal Property

I give all my tangible personal property and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property, to my husband, Tex. If he does not survive me, I give that property to those of my children who survive me, in equal shares, to be divided among them by my executors in their absolute discretion after consultation with my children. My executors may pay out of my estate the expenses of delivering tangible personal property to beneficiaries.

This gives your personal property to your spouse. If there are particular items that you want to go to other people (such as heirlooms, jewelry, professional equipment, and so on) you should enumerate them and the person you want them to go to in a separate clause (e.g., "I give my Beatles albums to my friend William Shears"), and note that Article II excludes those items. Some people will use separate clauses for legacies (disposition of money) and bequests (disposition of tangible personal property). Note the important clause that accounts for the possibility that your spouse will die first. The clause on insurance means that if some property you owned was destroyed (perhaps in the event that caused your death, like a car wreck), your heirs will receive the insurance proceeds, not the mangled car.

ARTICLE III: Real Estate

I give all my residences, subject to any mortgages or encumbrances thereon, and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property, to my husband, Tex. If he does not survive me, I give that property to _____________________________.

Most people want their spouse to keep the family home. In some states, particularly community property states, it's sometimes preferable to leave your residence to your spouse in a marital trust.

ARTICLE IV: Residuary Clause

I give the rest of my estate (called my residuary estate) to my husband, Tex. If he does not survive me, I give my residuary estate to those of my children who survive me, in equal shares, to be divided among them and the descendants of a deceased child of mine, to take their ancestor's share per stirpes.

Usually, the residuary clause begins "I give all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate...." because lawyers are afraid to change tried-and-true formulas, and for decades, legal documents never used one word when a half-dozen would do. However, this plain-English form will also work. This clause covers any property you own or are entitled to that somehow wasn't covered by the preceding clauses.

Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002 American Bar Association