Creating a will is a priority for many adults in Texas. This is a way for them to let the court and their loved ones know what they want to happen to their assets once they pass away.
Texas offers standardized will forms in an effort to streamline the will drafting process and make things easier. While it may seem like this makes the process a do-it-yourself project, that’s not the case. It’s still a good idea for adults to have a legal representative’s assistance to get everything set in a way that a court will eventually uphold.
Points for a valid will in Texas
In Texas, for a will to be considered valid, it must meet specific requirements set forth by state law. The person creating the will, known as the testator, must be at least 18 years old, married or a member of the armed forces.
The testator must also be of sound mind, meaning they understand the nature of the will, the extent of their property and the identity of those who are the natural beneficiaries of their estate.
The will must be in writing and signed by the testator or someone else in the testator’s presence and under the testator’s direction. Additionally, it needs to be witnessed by at least two credible individuals over 14 years old, who must sign the will in the presence of the testator.
Preformatted will forms
Texas allows the use of preformatted will forms, which can be tailored to different personal situations:
- Will Form for a Married Person Who Does Not Have Children
- Will Form for a Married Person Who Has Children
- Will Form for a Person Who is Single, Widowed or Divorced and Who Has Children
- Will Form for a Person Who is Single, Widowed or Divorced and Does Not Have Children
Remember, creating a will is only one aspect of a comprehensive estate plan. Texas residents can work with a legal representative who can assist with developing a plan that addresses all relevant concerns, from asset distribution to end-of-life plans.