Your executor must know your will exists and where the signed original is. Who to tell, whether to hand out copies, and where to store the original.
July 14, 2026
Yes, you still need a will if you're married. Without one, state intestacy law decides who inherits, and your spouse may not automatically receive everything.
July 14, 2026
No, you don't need a lawyer to make a will. In every U.S. state you can write a valid will yourself; a lawyer is worth it mainly when your situation is complex.
July 13, 2026
To sign your will in most states you need the printed will, two disinterested adult witnesses, and a pen. Notarization is only for the optional self-proving affidavit.
July 12, 2026
A will usually fails for one of four reasons: improper signing, lack of capacity, fraud or forgery, or undue influence. An unhappy heir alone isn't enough.
July 11, 2026
A simple self-check: written, signed by you, witnessed by two disinterested adults, made with capacity, current, and the signed original findable.
July 10, 2026
If a will isn't signed correctly, a probate court can refuse it and the estate may pass as if there were no will. How to avoid the most common failure.
July 10, 2026
A will means your family follows your plan instead of scrambling. Your executor files it with probate court, settles debts and taxes, then distributes what's left.
July 10, 2026
In most states you can't fully sign or notarize a will online, wills are usually excluded from remote notarization. Only about a dozen states allow electronic wills.
July 8, 2026
Legally there's no difference for most people; an online will is printed and signed on paper. Fully electronic wills are valid in only about a dozen states.
July 8, 2026
In most states a will is valid when you're an adult of sound mind, it's in writing, you sign it, and two disinterested witnesses sign too. Notarization is usually optional.
July 6, 2026
What a good online will service should do, and the common mistakes ,skipping witnesses, wrong-state templates, never signing, that make one fail.
July 6, 2026
Someone has to carry out your wishes. Learn what an executor does, how to choose the right person, and what makes the role easier for everyone involved.
February 23, 2026
Who gets what you leave behind? Learn what a beneficiary is, how designations work, and why keeping them updated is one of the most important things you can do.
February 22, 2026
What happens to everything you didn't name specifically? Learn how a residuary gift works and why it's the clause that ties your whole estate plan together.
February 15, 2026
A will without the right witnesses may not hold up. Learn who qualifies, what they do, and how to get this small but important step right.
February 15, 2026
Estate planning isn't just about after. Learn how a power of attorney protects you while you're still here, and what happens if you don't have one.
February 8, 2026
If you couldn't speak for yourself, who would? Learn how a healthcare directive protects your medical wishes and takes the guesswork away from your family.
February 8, 2026
Who would raise your children if you couldn't? Learn how to choose a guardian, what the role involves, and why naming one is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
February 1, 2026
Your pet can't speak for themselves either. Learn how to name a caretaker, provide for their costs, and make sure they're in the right hands.
February 1, 2026
