Virginia Last Will and Testament

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Making a will is an essential part of preparing for the end of life. Without a will in the state of Virginia, the courts will decide how to split up your belongings. While it’s not difficult to make a Virginia last will and testament on your own, there are a few requirements to ensure that it is fully legal.

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1 Virginia Last Will and Testament Template
2 Virginia Last Will and Testament Requirements
3 Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia Last Will and Testament Template

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Virginia Last Will and Testament Requirements

If you have a variety of assets, it might be easier to contact a lawyer or legal advisor. However, it is possible to write your own will. With the proper form and a notarization, a self-written will can be accepted by the Virginia courts.

To create a will in the state of Virginia, it is necessary to be of sound mind and at least 18 years of age. If both of those requirements are met, the will writing process is relatively simple. Two witnesses must be present, and neither of them can be beneficiaries. The will must be a hard copy.

It is essential to format your Virginia last will and testament correctly. Otherwise, it may be contested in court once you are gone. Without the proper witnesses, signatures, and format, it could go to intestacy and become the property of the courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it is relatively simple to create your own will, some situations can complicate it. Especially if you have complicated assets, a lawyer might be helpful to answer questions and help plan your estate. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about will requirements in the state of Virginia.

The requirements for a Virginia last will and testament are as follows:

  • The testator (will creator) must be of sound mind
  • The testator must be over the age of 18
  • The testator must sign the will
  • Two witnesses (who are not beneficiaries) must sign the will
  • The will must be a hard copy (typed or handwritten)

For simple wills, there isn’t much cost. There are several online forms to create a free last will and testament in Virginia. However, you might have to pay for lawyer fees, a notary, or legal advice if your assets are more complicated.

Virginia courts accept non-notarized wills. However, there’s less chance of contestation if the testament is notarized. Almost every last will and testament form in Virginia includes a notarization, so it’s highly recommended that you get your will notarized.

It is legal to write your own will in Virginia. As long as you are of sound mind and appropriate age, you will be able to create a will on your own. It might be helpful to use a last will and testament template in Virginia. Many of these are available online and easy to find and use.

It is legal to write your will by hand in Virginia, but not generally recommended. A handwritten will doesn’t always follow the legal will template in Virginia and could be contested in court. Most lawyers require a typed and printed last will and testament instead of a handwritten one.