All Pennsylvania residents above age 18 are allowed by law to dictate in writing who takes over their estate and lands upon their demise. This transfer of asset upon the death of the testator is done using a pa will and executed by an ‘executor’.
If a resident of the state dies without filing a Pennsylvania will form, the state invokes the law of intestacy. This means that the testator or intestate’s properties are handed over to the spouse where there are no surviving children.
This article reveals a lot more about writing a will in PA.
What Is Included in a Pennsylvania Last Will?
A Pennsylvania last will should contain the following details:
- Testator’s name, gender, city and county of residence
- Marital status
- Detailed list of assets owned and the sharing formula
- A detailed list of beneficiaries which may include pets and charitable organizations
- Executor and alternative executor names
- Name and other relevant information of trustee
- In the case where the beneficiaries are minor children, the last will should highlight the name and contact information of their guardian
A last will and testament Pennsylvania may also contain the following details:
- Instructions on what should be done following the simultaneous death of a spouse and one of the beneficiaries.
- Additional powers to be bequeathed to the executor
- Severability and survival: Here, the testator may declare that the remaining part of the last will be condemned (severability) or allowed to stand (survival) if any part of the submitted pa will form is considered invalid.
How to Write a Last Will in Pennsylvania?
Drafting a Pennsylvania will form from scratch can be a tall order. For this reason, it is usually recommended that one makes use of a Pennsylvania will template.
A Pa will template contain all necessary information for the execution of a last will and testament and are rightly formatted.
- Download a sample Pennsylvania will or pa will template from a reliable platform
- Claim ownership of the last will and testament form by writing your name and other relevant personal details
- Name an executor and highlight all their other details like county and state of residence
- List all beneficiaries, contact addresses and highlight their relationship with you
- Submit and file the last will and testament Pennsylvania with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
With this guide, making a will in Pa should be a breeze through.
What Are the Pennsylvania Last Will Requirements?
To begin with, witnesses to signing are not a must as far as the last will Pennsylvania is considered. The only exception is when it is signed by someone other than the testator.
In this case, there must be at least two witnesses to the signing of the pa will. These witnesses are bound to sign the document as well.
Here are some of the other last will and testament pa requirements that are worth mentioning:
- The testator must be aged 18 or older
- The testator must be of sound mind as at the time of writing
- Witnesses are not a must for a will Pennsylvania to be considered binding by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the exception of some cases
- The witnesses must also have attained the legal age (18)
- A Pennsylvania last will and statement must be in writing to be considered valid
- Oral wills are not allowed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
It is important to draft a Pennsylvania will form on time. This would save your family the hassles of dealing with any court papers. To begin drafting one, visit this page today. We have tens of last will and testament templates you can download for free.
