August Is Make a Will Month
August is Make a Will Month—a perfect reminder to make sure your wishes are documented and your loved ones are protected.
Many people believe wills are only for retirees or those with substantial wealth.
In reality, every adult who owns property, has children, or saves money should consider a properly prepared will for protection. It helps ensure wishes are respected, and Making a Will is straightforward. Having a plan reduces confusion for relatives and helps choose guardians and executors.
In this month’s featured educational article, Jocelyn Izumigawa explains why a will matters, what it can accomplish, and the practical steps involved in creating one. Whether you’re creating your first will or reviewing an existing one, this guide provides valuable information to help you prepare for the future.
A will is a legal document explaining how certain property should be distributed after your death. It can also name the person responsible for settling your estate—called an executor or personal representative—and recommend a guardian for minor children.
Making a will is not only for older or wealthy people. If you have children, a partner, pets, savings, a home, treasured belongings, or a cause you care about, a will can help make your wishes clear.
Why a Will Is Important
If you die without a valid will, you are considered to have died “intestate.” State law—not your family—then determines who receives property in your probate estate. The result may not match what you wanted, particularly if you have an unmarried partner, stepchildren, friends, or charities you wish to support.
A will allows you to:
- Decide who should receive your property.
- Name an executor to manage your estate.
- Recommend a guardian for minor children.
- Explain who should care for your pets.
- Leave gifts to friends, relatives, or charities.
- Reduce uncertainty and disagreements among loved ones.
A will does not necessarily control every asset. Life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death accounts, and jointly owned property with survivorship rights usually pass according to their beneficiary designations or ownership documents. Those records should be reviewed alongside your will.
The Importance of Notarizing a Will
While most states do not require a will itself to be notarized in order for it to be valid, notarization can still play an important role in strengthening the document. In many jurisdictions, a will can be accompanied by a notarized “self-proving affidavit,” which confirms that the witnesses and the testator (the person making the will) properly signed the document. This can significantly simplify the probate process later, because the court may not need to contact witnesses to verify the will’s authenticity.
Additionally, notarizing the self-proving affidavit can reduce disputes after death. When a will is properly notarized and witnessed, it shows the document was executed voluntarily and legally. This verification can help an executor carry out your wishes more quickly, easing your loved ones’ burden.
How to Make a Will
1. List what you own.
Make a basic inventory of real estate, bank and investment accounts, vehicles, valuable belongings, digital assets, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and debts. Exact values are not necessary for an initial list.
2. Choose your beneficiaries.
Decide who should receive your property. Include alternate beneficiaries in case someone dies before you. Consider carefully how an inheritance should be managed for a child or a beneficiary who may need continuing assistance.
3. Select an executor.
Choose a trustworthy, organized adult who is willing to handle paperwork, debts, taxes, court requirements, and distributions. Ask the person before naming them and select an alternate if possible.
4. Consider guardians and caregivers.
Parents should identify their preferred guardian for minor children and an alternate. Pet owners can name a caregiver and leave funds for the animal’s care, subject to state law.
5. Prepare the document.
A simple estate may be suitable for a reputable state-specific will form or service. An estate-planning attorney is especially valuable if you own a business, have a blended family, hold property in multiple states, want to disinherit a close relative, have a beneficiary with a disability, or expect conflict.
6. Follow your state’s signing rules exactly.
Requirements differ among states. Most traditional wills must be signed with adult witnesses present, and using beneficiaries as witnesses can create problems. Notarization is not always required for the will itself, although a notarized “self-proving” affidavit may make probate easier. Do not rely on an electronic, handwritten, or unwitnessed will unless you have confirmed that your state recognizes it.
7. Store and review it.
Keep the original somewhere secure but accessible—not somewhere your executor cannot enter after your death. Tell the executor where it is. Review the will after marriage, divorce, a birth or adoption, a death, a major move, or a substantial financial change. Revisit it every few years even when nothing major has happened.
Will-Making Checklist
- List important property, accounts, debts, and digital assets.
- Review ownership records and beneficiary designations.
- Choose primary and alternate beneficiaries.
- Select an executor and a backup.
- Name preferred guardians for minor children.
- Make arrangements for pets.
- Decide whether professional legal advice is appropriate.
- Prepare a will that follows your state’s law.
- Sign it using the required witnesses and formalities.
- Store the original safely and inform your executor.
- Review the plan after major life changes.
A will cannot prevent every difficulty, but it gives the people you love a clearer path forward. Taking the time to make one is a practical act of preparation—and an enduring act of care.
This article provides general educational information, not legal advice. Will requirements and inheritance laws vary by state. Consult a qualified estate-planning attorney or your state’s official court resources for guidance about your circumstances.
August is the perfect time to review your existing will—or create one if you haven’t already. Taking action today can provide peace of mind for you and the people you love.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Creating a will is one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave your loved ones. If you’re ready to prepare or update your estate planning documents, now is the perfect time to get started.
Online Notary Anywhere works with attorneys, title companies, and individuals to provide secure, convenient Remote Online Notarization for wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and other estate planning documents—without leaving home.
Contact us today to schedule your notarization or learn more about our remote services.
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