Pennsylvania Last Will and Testament Form

A Pennsylvania will form is a legal document that allows an individual (testator) the opportunity to organize their final days. Included in this document are the beneficiaries who will inherit their belongings and the executor who will oversee that all wishes are fulfilled. Items that the testator can distribute include property, like real estate, or financials, such as assets or physical money the deceased had in their accounts. When testators create and sign this document, they are securing their assets and the future of their family in case of their sudden death.

Last will execution is regulated by Title 20 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. According to Pennsylvania laws, those who wish to complete the last will and testament in the state of Pennsylvania must be of 18 years of age or older and of sound mind. This means that they must be healthy and stable enough to make decisions for themselves. The state of Pennsylvania recognizes holographic or hand-written wills that do not have to have the testator’s legal signature. Section 2502 of the title indicates that if the testator cannot place a hand-written signature, leaving any personal mark can be considered a sufficient signature substitute. In any scenario, two witnesses of legal age should be present during the signing of the will, along with a notary public, to make it self-proving.

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Information Needed for Filling Out a Pennsylvania Will

Testators will need a few bits of information about both executors and beneficiaries to fill out the document appropriately. These are outlined below, along with other required items.

For Executors

Testators will need to select an executor, providing their full legal name, current address, and city and county. This includes those who live outside of the state of Pennsylvania. If the primary selected executor cannot act, testators should consider adding an alternate. If they decide to do so, they will need to provide the same information for both primary and alternate executors.

For Beneficiaries

When listing beneficiaries, testators will need to have a set of information about each one the select. This includes their full legal name, their relationship to the testator, their address including city, county, and state, and the last four digits of their social security number. Below each of the beneficiaries, the testator can allocate specifics to each one depending on how they would like the property distributed.

For Witnesses

The testators will need to wait until there are two witnesses and a notary public available (the last one is optional). These persons will make the last will statement valid and legally binding, unable to be tampered with, or tweaked in any way unless the testator requests its revocation.

Legal Information

Included in the Pennsylvania Last Will Testament are a few pages with sections containing information about different sections within the document. They include omission, bond, contesting beneficiaries, assignment, and more. Testators should read these sections and make sure that they understand each section. It is a legal document and, once signed, is difficult to overturn. Making sure that all parts are thoroughly understood is a must.

Wills Help to Secure Your Future

The best thing about filling out the last will is the security you will feel when everything is taken care of in the event of your death. It is something that none of us knows or can predict. In the case of sudden death, you can leave your family at peace, knowing that your property will be distributed as you wanted. A detailed and valid last will keeps the state from taking over and starting the long process of proper distribution, having your exact thoughts and plans written out in your own words.

Download a PDF or Word Sample Pennsylvania Will

How to Write a Will in Pennsylvania

Writing a will is simple, especially when using an online template. There are sections to fill out and others to read that state the legality of each matter. Testators will need to prepare to fill out the document, taking time to think about how and to whom they will allocate their belongings. In addition to separating belongings, testators will need to select both beneficiaries and executors before finalizing the document.

Executors are the ones who carry out the actions wished by the testator. When choosing an executor, choose those you are confident in. It’s also a good idea to choose an alternate, just in case the primary executor is unable to act. The best choice is a responsible and trustworthy person able to act in your family’s best interests.
Beneficiaries are your heirs. These can be anyone from close family to friends and acquaintances, and the testator can select as many as they wish. When filling out the last will statement, testators can write specific detailed descriptions of the items or property they want to go to each beneficiary.

Create Your Last Will Online for Free

Those wishing to fill out a document can find a free printable Pennsylvania will template on our website. You can download this fillable document in PDF form, using it to guide you along the process. This eliminates any doubt about final wishes and helps those hoping to secure their future rest at ease knowing that their family will be well taken care of in the event of their death.