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FREE TEMPLATE / PERSONAL, FAMILY AND LEGAL

Last Will and Testament (United States)

A simple will for someone whose permanent home is in a US state other than Louisiana. It cancels earlier wills, names the family, an executor and a back-up, a guardian and a back-up for minor children, particular gifts and who receives the rest, and ends with a self-proving affidavit that the testator and both witnesses swear before a notary.

For the United States.

Download the free PDF

This page lists how to sign it in the United States. See how it is signed

First page of the Last Will and Testament (United States) template
PDF, 5 pages, 20 KB
THE DOCUMENT

What it covers

The template has 14 parts.

  1. Who I am
  2. Earlier wills
  3. My family
  4. Executor
  5. Bond, administration and powers
  6. Guardian for minor children
  7. Particular gifts
  8. My residuary estate
  9. Surviving me
  10. Debts, expenses and taxes
  11. Gifts to young people
  12. Signature of the testator
  13. Attestation
  14. Self-proving affidavit
BEFORE YOU START

What you will be asked

Have these details ready. The template needs them before anyone signs.

  • What is your full legal name?
  • In which county do you live?
  • In which state is your permanent home?
  • Are you married, and what are the full names of all your children?
  • Who should be your executor, the person who carries out your will? Give their full name, city and state.
  • Who should be executor if that person cannot or will not serve? Give a full name, city and state, or say none.Optional
  • If you have children who are minors, who should raise them if no parent can? Say none if this does not apply.Optional
  • Who should be guardian if that person cannot or will not serve? Say none if no one.Optional
  • Do you want to leave particular items or sums of money to anyone? Say who gets what, or say none.Optional
  • Who should receive everything else you own, and in what shares?
  • If someone you named for the rest of your estate dies before you, should their share go to their own children and grandchildren, or to someone else?
THE PEOPLE

Who signs

Everyone the template names, and what each one does.

  • Person making the willSigns
  • First witnessWitness
  • Second witnessWitness
  • Notary publicNotary
SIGNING RULES

How it is signed in the United States

The rules for a last will and testament depend on where it is signed. Laws change, so check the sources before anyone signs.

United States

Print and sign in ink

Print it and sign it in ink in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.

Steps

  1. Print the will on US Letter paper.
  2. Sign it in ink at the end, in front of two adult witnesses who watch you sign.
  3. Have both witnesses sign in your presence and in each other's presence.
  4. To make it self-proving, sign the affidavit with both witnesses before a notary, who completes the jurat.
  5. Keep the signed original safe and tell your executor where it is.

What the law asks for

E-signature
Only in some casesThe federal E-SIGN Act does not cover wills.
Witnesses
TwoTwo adult witnesses watch the testator sign and then sign themselves. Use witnesses who inherit nothing under the will.
Notary
OptionalA notary is not needed for the will to be valid. A self-proving affidavit, sworn by the testator and both witnesses before a notary, lets the court accept the will without calling the witnesses.
Remote signing
Not confirmedRemote witnessing and electronic wills depend on the state.
Registration
Not neededThere is no register. Keep the signed original safe.
Stamp duty
Not needed

Where the rules differ

Signing rules by state in the United States
StateHow it is signedE-signatureWitnessesNotaryRegistrationStamp duty
LouisianaPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedTwoRequiredNot neededNot needed

A Louisiana notarial testament is signed on paper before a notary and two witnesses.

North DakotaPrint and sign in inkOnly in some casesTwoOptionalNot neededNot needed

North Dakota has an electronic wills statute with its own steps.

PennsylvaniaPrint and sign in inkNot acceptedNoneOptionalNot neededNot needed

Sign the will on paper.

Sources

Checked October 25, 2026 against these sources.

QUESTIONS

Common questions

Answers from the signing rules on this page.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in the United States?

Only in some cases in the United States. The federal E-SIGN Act does not cover wills.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in the United States?

Two witnesses. Two adult witnesses watch the testator sign and then sign themselves. Use witnesses who inherit nothing under the will.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in the United States?

No. A notary is optional. A notary is not needed for the will to be valid. A self-proving affidavit, sworn by the testator and both witnesses before a notary, lets the court accept the will without calling the witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in the United States?

No. It is not registered. There is no register. Keep the signed original safe.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in the United States?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in Louisiana?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in Louisiana. A Louisiana notarial testament is signed on paper before a notary and two witnesses.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in Louisiana?

Two witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in Louisiana?

Yes. A notary or other authorized officer must take the signature.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in Louisiana?

No. It is not registered.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in Louisiana?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in North Dakota?

Only in some cases in North Dakota. North Dakota has an electronic wills statute with its own steps.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in North Dakota?

Two witnesses.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in North Dakota?

No. A notary is optional.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in North Dakota?

No. It is not registered.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in North Dakota?

No stamp duty is due.

Can the last will and testament be signed electronically in Pennsylvania?

No. An electronic signature is not accepted for it in Pennsylvania. Sign the will on paper.

How many witnesses does the last will and testament need in Pennsylvania?

None. No witness is needed in Pennsylvania.

Does the last will and testament need a notary in Pennsylvania?

No. A notary is optional.

Does the last will and testament need to be registered in Pennsylvania?

No. It is not registered.

Is stamp duty due on the last will and testament in Pennsylvania?

No stamp duty is due.

THE RIGHT TEMPLATE

Where it fits

For any US state except Louisiana, whose wills follow their own forms and are not covered. Some states prescribe their own self-proving wording, for example Texas, and California uses the witnesses' declaration in the attestation clause instead of an affidavit. Trusts for children, a blended family, a business or property abroad need a lawyer.

A CAREFUL CHECK

Before you rely on it

Original Centilio wording, not legal advice. A simple will for any US state except Louisiana, written to the usual rule of state wills statutes and the Uniform Probate Code (sections 2-502 and 2-504): signed by the testator before two witnesses, with a self-proving affidavit sworn before a notary. Some states prescribe their own self-proving wording, for example Texas (Estates Code section 251.104), so a lawyer there should check or replace that section. California has no self-proving affidavit and relies instead on the witnesses' declaration under penalty of perjury in the attestation clause, and some states admit a properly witnessed will without one. Louisiana is not covered. The template does not create trusts for children or others, plan for estate tax, deal with property abroad, or pass assets that go by beneficiary designation or joint ownership. A spouse may have a right to part of the estate whatever the will says, and marriage, divorce or a new child can change how the will works. In some states a witness who receives a gift under the will loses it. See a lawyer where any of this applies.