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"Do I need a will?"
“What will happen if I don’t have a will?"
“How do I make a will?"
These are only some of the many questions that often arise on the subject of wills.
The Virginia State Bar, the official state organization of lawyers, through its Trusts and Estates section, has prepared this pamphlet as a public service, to fill the need for basic answers to fundamental questions about wills under the laws of Virginia.
Of course, these laws can be very complicated. This pamphlet is designed to present simple and straightforward answers to commonly asked questions, and is not intended as a guide to preparing wills, or as a substitute for a consultation with a lawyer.
A will is a signed writing in which a person (often referred to as the “testator") directs what is to be done with his or her property after death. Each state has its own very specific laws as to what is necessary for a will to be valid in that state.
Any mentally competent person who is at least eighteen years old may make a will. However, later proof of any fraud, duress, or undue influence by another person on the testator may cause the will to be invalid.
Every mentally competent adult should have a will. Here are a few of the reasons:
In Virginia, the signing of a will must generally be witnessed by two competent persons, who also must sign the will in front of the testator. (An exception to the witness requirement is made if the testator writes out the entire will in his or her own handwriting and signs and dates it.)
Although the law does not require a will to be notarized, it is a highly recommended practice followed by most lawyers. If the testator’s and witnesses’ signatures have been notarized, the will is presumed to be properly executed and is accepted by the court without testimony from the witnesses.
?Your will is valid until you revoke it, generally either by physical destruction (tearing or burning it up, for example) or by signing a superseding will or written revocation. However, if you get divorced after signing a will, the law may consider the will partially revoked with respect to your ex-spouse. Also, if you are married, your spouse may have rights in your estate regardless of what is provided in your will.
Your will does not take effect until you die; therefore, it can be changed at any time during your life as long as you are mentally competent. Traditionally, wills were changed by an amending instrument called a “codicil," but with the development of modern word processing technology, it is usually better and just as easy to sign an entirely new will when you wish to make a change.
If you don’t have a will, a state statute directs who will receive your property, regardless of your wishes. In Virginia, if you are married, your estate generally passes entirely to your surviving spouse; however, if you have surviving children or their descendants who are not also the children or their descendants of your surviving spouse, your children and their descendants divide two-thirds of your estate, and your spouse takes the other one-third.
In most cases, joint ownership is not an acceptable substitute for a will. Contrary to popular belief, joint ownership of assets between husband and wife may result in unnecessary estate taxes at the death of the survivor. Joint ownership between parent and child may foster disputes among family members and cause unexpected and unnecessary gift taxes.
A funded revocable (“living") trust can be a valuable and important part of the estate plan for many people, but it does not eliminate the need for a will. If you have a living trust, you will still need a will to dispose of those assets that have not or cannot be placed in the trust.
As useful as they are, living trusts are not appropriate for everyone. Only your lawyer can tell you if you should consider one, and only your lawyer should prepare it.
A person who drafts a will must be familiar with the law in order to avoid the many pitfalls and to comply with the formalities necessary to assure the will’s validity. Only a practicing lawyer is professionally qualified to give you advice regarding your will, to prepare your will, and to supervise its signing.
Planning your financial affairs is a very personal and individual matter. You should decide for yourself the general purposes you wish to accomplish, then consult with your lawyer and any other advisors (accountant, financial planner, life insurance agent) to plan properly how to accomplish your goals.
Take these four practical steps to save time and help assure a sound result:
Prepared by the Trusts and Estates Section of the Virginia State Bar
Virginia State Bar
Eighth & Main Building
707 East Main Street, Suite 1500
Richmond, VA 23219-2800
(804) 775-0500 • http://www.vsb.org
For assistance in finding a lawyer, contact the
VIRGINIA LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
1 (800) 552-7977 (Statewide)
or (804) 775-0808 (Richmond, VA)
TDD/Voice Line (Hearing Impaired): (804) 775-0502
updated 11/05