Creating a will isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly. It’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and to make sure your wishes are followed.
At Succession Wills, we believe estate planning should be simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone, no matter your age, income, or experience.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a will step by step. You’ll learn what to gather, how to draft your will, the legal requirements you need to meet, and how to keep everything safe.
Whether you’re writing your first will or updating an old one, this guide will help you.
Step 1: Gather What You Need
Before you start writing your will, take time to organize your information to make the process smoother and help make sure you don’t miss anything important.
List your assets and debts
Start with a clear inventory of everything you own and owe. This includes:
- Real estate (home, land, vacation property)
- Vehicles
- Bank and investment accounts
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA)
- Life insurance policies
- Personal valuables (jewelry, art, heirlooms)
- Outstanding debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards)
Having a full picture helps you decide how you want to divide your estate.
Include your digital assets
Your online presence matters, too. Make a list of:
- Email and social media accounts
- Cloud storage
- Cryptocurrency
- Domain names or blogs
- Digital photos or videos
Think about who should have access and how you want them handled.
Choose your beneficiaries
These are the people or organizations who will receive your assets. Use full legal names and be specific. You’ll also want to name:
- Primary beneficiaries: The first in line
- Contingent beneficiaries: Backups if the primary beneficiaries pass away before you
Pick your executor
Your executor is responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. Choose someone who is:
- Organized
- Responsible
- Comfortable handling legal and financial matters
Avoid naming someone who is likely to have a conflict of interest, like a business partner or a family member you’ve had disputes with.
Related Reading: Choosing the Right Executor for Your Will
Name guardians
If you have minor children, dependents, or pets, this part is very important. Choose a guardian and a backup, and make sure they’re willing to take on the role. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with them beforehand to make sure they’re prepared and willing to take on this responsibility.
Step 2: Decide How You’ll Make the Will
There’s no one right way to make a will, but some options are easier, cheaper, and more reliable than others.
Use an online will maker
Online platforms like Succession Wills let you create a legally valid will from the comfort of your home, with no appointments, confusing forms, or expensive legal fees.
You’ll be guided through a series of straightforward questions in plain language, and your answers are used to automatically generate a will that meets your specific state’s legal requirements. The whole process takes as little as 15–20 minutes for most users.
Succession Wills is built by a lawyer and a software engineer, so you get the best of both worlds: legal expertise and smart technology.
Our platform is designed to catch common mistakes, make sure your documents are up to date, and help you avoid legal pitfalls that could delay or complicate your estate plan later.
This is a great option if:
- Your estate is relatively simple
- You don’t want to hire a lawyer
- You want something fast, easy, and affordable
Online wills are legally binding in most states, as long as you follow proper steps for signing and witnessing. We’ll guide you through those steps and even remind you to review and update your will over time, especially after major life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child.
Use your state’s template
Some states, like California, offer free will templates through court websites. These are often fill-in-the-blank forms, and while they do work, they’re not very flexible, and they don’t include much explanation.
This option is best if:
- You’re confident in your decisions
- You live in a state that offers them
- You don’t need customization
See example: How to Write Your Own Will in Florida
Handwrite your will
This is called a holographic will. Some states allow them if they’re written entirely in your own handwriting, dated, and signed.
Be careful: these are easy to challenge in court and often lack key legal language. They’re only a good idea if you’re in a rush and don’t have access to other tools.
Hire a lawyer
If your situation is complex or if you’re unsure about anything, working with an estate planning attorney might be worth it. Good reasons to consider legal help include:
Blended families
If you have stepchildren, multiple marriages, or shared custody arrangements, it’s important to make sure your will reflects your intentions clearly.
State laws don’t always treat stepchildren the same as biological or legally adopted children, and a lawyer can help prevent unintentional exclusions or conflicts among family members.
Large estates
Larger estates often involve more assets, more beneficiaries, and more opportunities for legal challenges.
An attorney can help you structure your will to minimize the risk of disputes and help make sure your estate is distributed as efficiently as possible, and they can also advise on how to reduce estate taxes where applicable.
Business ownership
If you own a business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, you’ll need to plan what happens to it when you pass.
Will it be sold, transferred to a co-owner, or inherited by a family member? A lawyer can help you coordinate your will with business succession plans and legal documents.
Complicated tax situations
High-value estates, multiple properties, or international assets can create tax implications for your heirs.
An estate planning attorney can help you understand how federal and state estate taxes may apply and suggest strategies to reduce the burden and help make sure your will aligns with other tax planning tools, like trusts or charitable donations.
| Method | Cost | Flexibility | Legally Binding | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online will maker | Low | High | Yes | Most people |
| State template | Free | Low | Yes | Simple estates in specific states |
| Handwritten will | Free | Medium | In some states | Emergency situations |
| Lawyer-drafted will | High | High | Yes | Complex estates or legal concerns |
Step 3: Finalize and Store It
Once your will is written, there are a few key steps to make it official and secure.
Signing and witnessing
In most states, you need to:
- Sign the will yourself
- Have at least two adult witnesses present (they cannot be beneficiaries)
Some states also allow a “self-proving affidavit,” where you and the witnesses sign in front of a notary. This can help speed up probate.
Notarizing your will
In many states, notarization isn’t required, but it’s often recommended. It adds an extra layer of legal protection and makes the will harder to contest.
For example:
- North Carolina recommends notarization for a self-proving will.
- Delaware doesn’t require notarization, but notarized wills are easier to process.
Store it safely
Your will is only useful if it can be found. Store it in a:
- Fireproof safe
- Locked filing cabinet
- Safe deposit box (if someone has access)
Also:
- Give a copy to your executor
- Let your family know where it is
- Avoid hiding it or leaving it in an unsafe place
Update regularly
A will isn’t a one-and-done document. You should review it every 3–5 years, or after major life events:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or death in the family
- New home or assets
- Business changes
Succession Wills makes updates easy and reminds you when it’s time to review.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Naming a beneficiary who has died
Always list backups and update your will after life changes. If a named beneficiary has passed away and no alternate is listed, your assets might not be distributed how you intended.
Not signing with witnesses
A will without proper witnesses is often invalid. Each state has different rules, but most require at least two impartial adults to watch you sign and sign it themselves.
Failing to update after major life events
Life changes fast, and your will should reflect that. Births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or changes in property can all impact who should inherit what.
Keeping it in a hard-to-find place
If no one knows where it is, it might as well not exist. Make sure your executor knows exactly where to find the original signed document when the time comes.
How Succession Wills Makes It Easier
We combine legal knowledge with smart technology to help you:
- Create a legally valid will online
- Follow your state’s legal requirements
- Choose from flexible options
- Store and update your will with ease
You don’t need to visit a law office or spend a fortune. You can make a will from your phone or laptop, right now.
Start Your Will in Minutes with Succession Wills.
FAQs About Making a Will
What is the simplest way to make a will?
The simplest way to make a will is by using a trusted online service like Succession Wills. It guides you through each step with plain language, built-in legal checks, and templates tailored to your state.
This makes the process much faster and less stressful than writing one from scratch or hiring a lawyer, especially if your estate is straightforward.
What is the biggest mistake with wills?
The biggest mistake people make with wills is not keeping them up to date, or not having one at all.
A will that doesn’t reflect major life changes like marriage, divorce, a new child, or the death of a beneficiary can cause confusion, delays, or legal disputes. It’s important to review your will every few years and after any significant event in your life.
Does a will need to be notarized in NC?
No, a will does not need to be notarized in North Carolina to be legally valid. However, notarizing it can turn it into a “self-proving” will, which means the probate court can accept it without contacting the witnesses later. This saves time and reduces complications for your loved ones during an already difficult period.
What makes a will valid in Delaware?
To be legally valid in Delaware, a will must be signed by the person making it and witnessed by two credible adults. These witnesses should not be beneficiaries and must be present at the time the will is signed.
While notarization isn’t required, adding it can strengthen the will’s credibility and help streamline the probate process.
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Learn more about estate planning, wills vs. trusts, and power of attorney.
