What must be in a will?
Certain elements usually must be present for a will to be valid. You must be of legal age
to make a will (this is 18 in most states). You must be of sound mind and memory, which
means that you should know you're executing a will, know the general nature and extent of
your property and what the will accomplishes. The will must have a provision that disposes
of your property and it must indicate you really intend it to be a will. The will must be
voluntarily signed by you (or someone you direct in case of incapacity or illiteracy).
Although oral wills are permitted in limited circumstances in some states, wills must
usually be written and witnessed. To be safe, don't hand write a will if you can avoid it.
A will must be properly executed, which means that it contains a statement at the end
attesting that it is your will, the date and place of signing, and the fact that you
signed it in the presence of the witnesses who then also signed it in your presence and
watched each other sign.