California Last Will and Testament
Last Will and Testament documents help individuals outline their wishes after death. Attorney-drafted templates are quick and easy to complete.
Life Planning Documents Package
PopularA comprehensive estate and life planning package - will, financial POA, healthcare POA, living will directive, guardian declaration, and personal planning worksheets.
Similar documents: key differences
- Will vs. Trust — a will distributes assets after death, while a trust can manage assets during life and after.
- Holographic Will vs. Formal Will — a holographic will is handwritten, whereas a formal will follows state-specific legal requirements.
- Mutual Will vs. Joint Will — mutual wills are separate documents with reciprocal terms; joint wills are a single document for two people.
- Living Will vs. Last Will and Testament — a living will outlines medical preferences, while a last will distributes assets after death.
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Types of Will forms
With Minor Children
Plan for your family's future with a legal document that outlines asset distribution and guardianship for minor children.
With Minor Children (Prior Marriage)
Ensure your wishes are honored for your estate and minor children, even from a prior marriage.
With Adult Children
Create a legal document outlining property distribution after your death, specifically designed for married individuals with adult children.
With Adult Children (Prior Marriage)
Prepare a comprehensive estate plan to specify how your assets will be distributed, especially when remarriage and blended families are involved.
With Adult + Minor Children
Create a comprehensive estate plan that addresses both minor and adult children in your family.
With Adult + Minor Children (Prior Marriage)
Create a plan for distributing your assets and appointing guardians for your minor children with this essential estate planning document.
With No Children
Not Married with Minor Children
Create a legally binding will to specify how your assets will be distributed and who will care for your minor children upon your passing.
Not Married with No Children
Create legally binding wills for partners living together without marriage. Specify property distribution and personal representatives easily.
Domestic Partner with Minor Children
Plan for your family's future by outlining your wishes for asset distribution and guardianship for minor children, ensuring your loved ones are cared for.
Domestic Partner with Minor Children (Prior Marriage)
Make important decisions about your estate and guardianship with this comprehensive will for domestic partners with children from previous marriages.
Domestic Partner with Adult Children
Create a plan for your assets and guardianship, ensuring your wishes are honored in a domestic partnership with adult children.
Domestic Partner with Adult Children (Prior Marriage)
Create a will to allocate your assets and appoint a personal representative for your estate, especially if you have a domestic partner and adult children from a prior marriage.
Domestic Partner with Adult + Minor Children
Create a comprehensive will to ensure your domestic partner and children inherit as you intend, including provisions for guardianship and trusts.
Domestic Partner with Adult + Minor Children (Prior Marriage)
Secure your wishes for your estate, partner, and children with this essential legal document tailored for domestic partners.
For a Domestic Partner with No Children
Ensure your wishes are honored with a detailed Will specifically for domestic partners without children.
Codicil / Amendment (General)
Amend your estate plan easily to reflect new wishes or circumstances with this essential document.
For Other Persons
Plan your estate and ensure your wishes for asset distribution after passing.
Pour-Over Will (to Trust)
Ensure all your property is handled by your trust after your death with this essential estate planning document.
With Minor Children
Secure your children's future by designating guardians and managing assets through a personalized estate plan.
With Adult Children
Ensure your wishes are honored after your passing by detailing asset distribution and appointing an executor.
With Adult + Minor Children
Ensure your wishes for minor and adult children are honored after your passing with a comprehensive estate plan.
With No Children
Create a clear plan for your assets after your passing, ensuring they go to designated individuals.
With Minor Children
Plan your estate wisely by outlining property distribution and appointing guardians for your minor children after divorce.
With Adult Children
Ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes after divorce with this straightforward will designed for individuals with adult children.
With Adult + Minor Children
Plan your estate effectively by specifying how your assets will be distributed to your children and who will manage their inheritance.
With Blended Children
Ensure your estate is handled according to your wishes, especially when dealing with children from previous relationships.
With No Children
Ideal for individuals who are divorced, this document outlines how to distribute assets after death, safeguarding your wishes.
With Minor Children
Create a legally valid will to ensure your minor children and assets are taken care of after your passing.
With Adult Children
Secure your wishes for property distribution and guardianship after your passing, ensuring clarity for your loved ones.
With Adult + Minor Children
Create a legally binding will to outline how your estate and guardianship of your children will be managed after your death.
With No Children
Ideal for those who have lost a spouse and want to clearly outline their estate distribution.
Common California Last Will and Testament documents
- Standard Will — outlines the distribution of assets upon death.
- Self-Proving Will — includes a statement of witnesses for easier validation.
- Pour-Over Will — directs assets into a trust upon death.
- Holographic Will — handwritten and signed by the testator, often less formal.
- Joint Will — a single will for two people, commonly spouses.
- Mutual Will — two wills that are reciprocal and often for couples.
FAQs
A trust can manage assets during life and after, while a will only addresses post-death asset distribution.
If there is no will, state laws will determine asset distribution, which may not reflect your wishes.
It’s wise to review your will every few years or after significant life changes.
Beneficiary designations on accounts may override instructions in your will.
Yes, you can designate separate individuals for financial and healthcare decisions.
Key legal points
- A last will takes effect after death.
- Beneficiaries are individuals or entities receiving assets.
- Witnesses may be needed to validate a will.
- Wills can be amended or revoked by the testator.
- Intestacy laws apply if there is no valid will.
- Specific assets can be bequeathed to chosen individuals.
- Personal representatives handle the will's execution.
How to get started
Begin your process with these simple steps.
- Find a template or package that fits your situation.
- Review the description, preview, and signing requirements.
- Get full access with a subscription.
- Complete it in the online editor.
- Export or send: download, email, USPS mail, notarize online, or send for e-signature (Premium).
Practical tip
Consider naming a trusted individual as your executor to ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly.
