As you begin to plan for the future of your estate, drafting a Last Will and Testament is necessary to ensure you’re passing your life’s possessions onto your chosen beneficiaries. To guarantee the documents are legal and will be upheld in court, consider working with a knowledgeable Estate Planning attorney. An attorney will help you navigate Pennsylvania’s Last Will and Testament requirements to ensure you meet all the legal conditions.
Continue reading to learn more about Pennsylvania’s requirements for your Will.
Pennsylvania Last Will and Testament Requirements
Pennsylvania’s Last Will and Testament give you, the Testator, control over how your assets and the estate are managed after your passing. Below are some of the requirements necessary to ensure your Will is legally binding.
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must be of sound mind
- Your Will must be in writing (typed or printed) to be valid
- You must sign the Will at the bottom of the document, along with two witnesses
- You must have all three signatures notarized
Pennsylvania doesn’t require you to have a witness when you sign your Last Will and Testament.
If You Can’t Sign Your Will
In rare cases, if you’re unable to sign the Will yourself, there are two other options available to have a legal Will. If you can sign the document using your mark in front of two witnesses, it’s legal.
Changing or Revoking Your Last Will and Testament
Changing your Last Will and Testament is a simple process when working with your Estate Planning attorney. It can be changed multiple times throughout your life or revoked at any point.
Revoking Your Will
If you need to cancel your Will, you have three options available.
#1 Alter the Will using a codicil, a legal document you can add to your documents that includes your changes. The codicil is signed using the same process when creating the Will.
#2 Write a legal document stating that it’s revoking all previous Wills. Again, you must follow the same Last Will and Testament requirements.
#3 Destroy the document by shredding it, burning it, or tearing it up.
Additional Resources for You
If you’re considering using an online Last Will and Testament form instead of working with an attorney, read our article on Why Not to Use a Free Last Will and Testament Form in PA. You’ll learn several reasons you shouldn’t and how it could end up costing you more time and money.
You can read How to Draft a Last Will & Testament in PA to get started.
If you’re interested in studying more about the Estate Planning process, visit our frequently asked questions page.
Prepare For Your Future Today
Recognizing the importance of Estate Planning, no matter the life stage you’re currently in, will help you have more control over your life. At Auld Brothers, we’re here to help you through that process. You will work with Rebecca A. Auld, the Firm’s Principal. She supports many local Pittsburgh individuals and families by removing the stress and uncertainty that sometimes occurs during the Estate Planning process.