The Missouri Last Will and Testament is a legal document that is written by a testator (the person who is creating the document), to clearly set forth how they wish their property to be distributed upon their death. Some of the arrangements to be made would be for things such as fiduciary assets, life insurance for the protection of the remaining family members, digital property, real estate and personal property. These are items that are vital to an estate and must be properly distributed by an executor for the continued protection of family, friends. One may even make a final or continuing donation to a charity in this document. In order to ensure proper acknowledgment, this document must be signed by two witnesses and as well, will require notarization
Definition – § 472.010
Laws – Title XVI (Trusts and Estates of Decedents and Persons Under Disability Chapters 456 to 475)
Guide to Wills – Provided by the Missouri BAR.
Signing (Section 474.320) – Two (2) competent Witnesses in the presence of the testator.
How to Write
Step 1 – Testator -Enter the legal name of the testator on the line at the top of the document along with the following:
- Name
- City
- County
- Testator must carefully review the remainder of the paragraph
- Review the Expenses and Taxes section
Step 2 – Nomination of Representative (Executor)–
- Enter the name of the executor
- Name of executor’s city
- County
- State
Alternate Executor –If the initial representative, for whatever reason is unable to serve, provide information for a second
- Enter the full name of the alternate executor
- Name of executor’s city
- County
- State
Step 3 – Disposition of Property –
Beneficiary’s Information
- Full legal name
- Current address
- Relation to testator
- Enter the last four digits of their SSN
- Enter the property being bequeathed
Step 4 – Testator should review all of the following:
- Omission
- Bond
- Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative
- Contesting Beneficiary
- Guardian Ad Litem Not Required
- Gender
- Assignment
- Governing Law
- Binding Arrangement
Step 5 – Signatures/Witnesses – All signatories must be present.
- Enter the testator’s name
- Date of testator’s signature in dd/mm/yyyy format
- Testator Signature
- Testator (Printed Name)
Witnesses – The witnesses must review the brief statement and provide the following –
- Date the document in dd/mm/yyyy format
- Enter the name of the testator
Witness 1 –
- Witness Signature
- Address
Witness 2 –
- Witness Signature
- Address
Step 6 – Testament Affidavit – All parties must review and provide the following:
- State
- County
- Name of testator
- Name of Witness 1
- Name of Witness 2
- AND ENTER
- Testator Signature
- Witness 1 Signature
- Witness 2 Signature
Step 7 – Notarization – Once the notary public has witnessed all signatures they shall then complete the remainder of the document.
