Free Fillable Wisconsin Last Will and Testament Form

A Wisconsin last will and testament is a document used in the planning of one’s death. Though this is not the most pleasant topic, it is something that we all must face, and it is better to take care of things while you still can. We all work hard most of our lives, saving up and planning for our futures with thoughts of retirement in the back of our minds. What about the people we will leave behind and the things we have conquered in our lives?

Taking steps to plan out distribution kickstarts the process and makes life a little more worth living. We know that the things we are working for today go toward securing our futures for tomorrow.

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Free Fillable Wisconsin Last Will and Testament Form

Does Wisconsin Require a Will?

Wisconsin does not require that you have a will. As a matter of fact, many people die without any will and leave the entire process to their surviving relatives. While there is nothing that says you must create a will, it is still recommended. One of the recommendations for having a last will and testament template is that you can secure your properties and choose who they go to. Plus, you can elect someone who will act to get all the processes started, choosing someone you rely on to get the job done.

An Executor

One of the most important things to consider is who you will choose as an executor. It needs to be a person that can take charge and does not fold in stressful situations. When choosing an executor, think about selecting an alternate if there is any reason why the first one cannot fulfill their duties. They will need to start the court probate process, needing to start all of the paperwork as soon as possible.

Creating a Last Will and Testament

To create a will, you must be at least 18 and be in a good and healthy state of mind. As long as these two things check out then, you can fill out the last will, starting with a handwritten list of beneficiaries and the assets you are passing on. On top of that, you’ll need to select your executor and an alternate. When you have all things ready to go, you’ll need to sign in front of 2 witnesses, both of which will also need to provide their signatures. To summarize, code section 853.01, et seq. states that you will need:

2 witnesses
A list of Beneficiaries
Your signature and the signature of all witnesses
Your selected executors

Making Changes

Keep in mind that you can make changes to your will at any time. You can either add an amendment to the will that will take over the original passages, as it goes by the most recent dates, or fill out an entirely different will. If you do the latter, the entire previous will is overwritten and is considered no longer valid. Revoking the last will requires the family attorney’s help and a bit more paperwork, but it still can be done. You can also tear or destroy a will, either doing away with or starting a whole new one.

What If I Die Without a Will?

Because there are not many people who fill out the last will, the state has specific procedures to abide by when someone dies without a will. They call this a state of intestacy, where the state takes over and oversees the process of distributions. Like many other states, Wisconsin first looks to the legal spouse and any children, giving property directly. If that is not applicable, they will start to make their way down the family tree looking for the closest relative.

Exceptions in Property Distributions

Filling out a list of beneficiaries and the items you would like each of them to get is the easy part but, you will have to keep a few things in mind. You cannot legally pass on any items that are:

Shared in ownership by you and another person
Any property shared and legally passed to spouse for survivorship
Anything that has been omitted due to a living will

A living will, not to be confused with the last will, is a document used to put things in order and put the responsibility in another’s hands in the case that you can no longer do so yourself.

Make Your Last Will Today

When you’re ready to create a Wisconsin last will and testament, you can visit our website for a free form. Simply follow along and fill it out, combining it with your handwritten choices of beneficiaries and properties. Secure your belongings today, starting with a look into filling out a will. Knowing that the things you have worked for will be put to good use can make life more meaningful.