How to Write a Trust & a Will
- 1). Create the heading of your will and trust by including your full name, including your middle name. The heading should have the date you were born, as well as your Social Security number. This heading will ensure that the document is identified as belonging to you.
- 2). Nullify previous will documents by stating in the next paragraph that this will is to serve as your "last will and testament." All remaining documents created previously will become inactive.
- 3). Testify as to the condition of your mental state at the time of writing the will. You should specify that you are sane and understand the will and trust you are creating.
- 4). Select a personal representative to carry out the wishes of your will and trust after you have passed. Usually, the person must be 18 years or older and post a bond that ensures your wishes will be followed. You should include all contact and personal information needed to adequately identify the representative as the person about whom you are speaking. You can also specify in your will and trust that the representative conduct business in your name. This includes paying debts.
- 5). Provide a backup assistant for your will in the event that your first choice dies before she can execute her duties. All relevant personal information for the second choice should be included.
- 6). Answer questions in your trust regarding your desire to be resuscitated or kept on life support. If you do or do not want these hospital services, clearly state that in the trust.
- 7). Create an itemized list, to be included with the will, that dictates what items and property each beneficiary will receive. Specify how cash and investment holdings (as a percentage) will be divided as well. Make a clause that explains what should happen to an item if a person for whom it is intended dies. The clause can name another person to inherit items in this case.
- 8). Sign your will in the presence of court clerks or public officials. Have the witnesses sign the document as well. Verify with your state whether you need a notary to sign the document. After the document is signed, make multiple copies.
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