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How to Write a Last Will and Testament

This document provides guidance on writing a last will and testament. It explains that a will is a legal document that lists your wishes to be carried out after death. A will typically includes an introduction stating you are of sound mind, the executor, and 5 body paragraphs assigning property or benefits to family/friends. It concludes with final thoughts for loved ones and requires the testator's signature and 2 witnesses. Non-material items like personality traits can also be willed.

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11 views2 pages

How to Write a Last Will and Testament

This document provides guidance on writing a last will and testament. It explains that a will is a legal document that lists your wishes to be carried out after death. A will typically includes an introduction stating you are of sound mind, the executor, and 5 body paragraphs assigning property or benefits to family/friends. It concludes with final thoughts for loved ones and requires the testator's signature and 2 witnesses. Non-material items like personality traits can also be willed.

Uploaded by

api-26021437
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

WRITING A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

This is a writing assignment that many students are uncomfortable starting, due to its strong ties to the
idea of death. However, once young people start to complete their will, they find that they are thinking
about what they cherish—both things and people—in a way that they have never done before. It’s okay
to feel squeamish about it at first, but stick with it. You’ll soon see that this is not a depressing
assignment, but a joyous one.

What does a will look like?

A will is basically a legal document that is made up of a list of wishes that you want carried out after you
are gone. Your will is going to consist of an introduction, then five body paragraphs, and then a
conclusion

What goes in the introduction?

Wills often being with a very familiar statement: “I, __________________, being of sound mind and
body, hereby establish my last will and testament.” You then name your executor, which is the person
that you want to oversee your estate and make sure everything is done properly.

What goes in the body paragraphs?

The body paragraphs are where you really start assigning your property away. You can organize these
any way you like. Say you have five valuable things that you would like to will to your family. That’s
easy enough. You can spend a paragraph on each valuable item and say who gets it and why. Say you
have five family members you want to benefit. You can spend a paragraph on each person and explain
what you want them all to have. (Each paragraph must have at least 5 sentences, of course.)

What goes in the conclusion?

These are your final thoughts to your loved ones. Let them know how you would like to be
remembered.

Signature and Witnesses

For a will to be legal, you have to sign it, of course. But you also have to have two witnesses read the
will and sign.

What things can I will to my friends and family?

You don’t have to have valuable items or investments to make a will. Say you have a favorite
photograph, ring, piece of jewelry, letter, or article of clothing that means a lot to you—these are the
kinds of things that people cherish the most.
If you can’t think of material items to will away, you can always will away your personality traits. You
might want to give away your optimism, your friendliness, your love of music, etc.

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