A West Virginia Last Will and Testament is a legal document written in order to set forth how an individual wishes their property to be distributed upon their death. It is also the document used for naming a guardian for any minor children or dependants the individual may have.
Certain West Virginia-specific formalities must be followed when creating a Last Will or making changes to an existing one. If these are not observed one of two things can happen:
The West Virginia Last Will is regulated by Chapter 41 ( Wills ), which lays down the signing of the will by the Testator in the presence of at least two (2) competent witnesses, present at the same time; and such witnesses shall subscribe the document in the presence of the Testator. Click on the link below to download a ready-made form or use our online form builder to make your personalized template.
On the whole, a Last Will and Testament allows a Testator to allocate their assets between any number of parties according to their wishes. Creating a will gives the Testator sole discretion over the distribution of their estate. If the Testator is the owner of a business or has any investments, their will can direct a smooth transition of those assets as well.
Making a will is a necessary - and, usually, a fairly simple - process that can save the Testator's family time, money, and give all parties peace of mind.
Each state has its specific requirements that a Last Will and Testament template must meet to be legally acknowledged. A Testator is free to choose what to include in their will. The basic instructions for creating a will in West Virginia are as follows:
In most cases, it is best practice to select an Executor - a person that carries out a Testator's wishes in accordance with the will. Any adult 18 years or older and that has never been convicted of a felony can be an Executor for a will.