A Wyoming last will and testament is a legal document set forth by a testator (the person creating their will) providing instructions for how their estate shall be distributed upon death. All aspects of the testator’s estate– such as financial accounts, fiduciary funds, life insurance policies, as well as real, personal, and even digital property– can all be bequeathed to beneficiaries as stipulated on the testator’s will and carried out by the chosen executor. A testator ensures peace of mind when creating a will as it protects their estate and transfers portions or all to the appropriate individuals; beneficiaries of the testator’s will are usually their spouses, children, friends, blood relatives, and even charitable organizations. A will must be signed by the testator in the presence of two (2) or more witnesses in order to be legally executed under Wyoming law. Both these witnesses will also provide their signatories after attestation. And though optional, a testator can have their will acknowledged by a state-authorized notary public for another layer of legal protection.
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Laws
Definition – (§ 2-1-301(xxxiv)) – “Will” includes a codicil, a testamentary instrument that merely appoints an executor, or a testamentary instrument that merely revokes or revives another will.
Signing Requirements (Section 2-6-112) – Must be signed by the testator and by two (2) competent Witnesses.
Statutes – Title 2 (Wills, Decedents’ Estates and Probate Code)
(Video) How to Make a Will in Wyoming
How to Write
Step 1 – In order to establish the testator of the document, simply place their full name at the top of the document – to be followed by:
- Testator’s name
- City
- County
- Testator shall review the remaining portion of the information
- Testator must review “Expenses and Taxes”
Step 2 – Executor Appointment –
- Enter the name of the selected executor
- City of residence
- County where Executor resides
- Executor’s State
Alternate Representative – A second Executor (representative) could well be needed if for any reason the initial representative is found to be unable to execute the estate. The Testator may select a second executor to ensure that the execution of the document is seamless in the event the initial executor is unable or unwilling to distribute the contents of the document to the beneficiaries
- Enter the name of the selected Alternate Executor
- City of Executor
- County of Executor
- State
Step 3 – List Disposition of Property that will be Provided all Respective Beneficiaries:
Beneficiaries – Provide the following information:
- Enter the beneficiary’s full name
- Address
- Beneficiary’s relation to testator (spouse, child, friend etc)
- Enter the last four digits of each named beneficiary SSN
- List property being bequeathed to the beneficiaries
The Testator may read the remaining information in order to educate themselves with regard to how property would be distributed should a beneficiary predecease the testator
Step 4 – Titled sections should be reviewed carefully by the testator as they continue to create their document:
- Omission
- Bond
- Discretionary Powers of Personal Representative
- Contesting Beneficiary
- Guardian Ad Litem Not Required
- Gender
- Assignment
- Governing Law
- Binding Arrangement
Step 5 – Witness Signatures – Anyone providing signature, must be present at the time of the signing of the document. The following information is required:
- Name of the testator
- Provide the testator’s signature – dd/mm/yyyy
- Testator must provide their signature
- Print testator’s name
Witnesses – Witnesses must read the brief statement –
- Signatures must first be dated – dd/mm/yyyy format
- Provide the name of testator
Witness 1 –
- Signature
- Witness address
Witness 2 –
- Signature
- Witness Address
Step 6 – Testament Affidavit – All signatories should first read the affidavit. Enter the following:
- The State
- The County
- The Name of Testator
- Name of Witness 1
- Name od Witness 2
- AND
- Signature of the testator
- Signature of 1st witness
- Signature of 2nd witness
Step 7 (Optional) – Notary Public – shall witness signatures and complete and acknowledge all signatures.
Related Forms
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF