Last Will and Testament in Minnesota
A simple will form for straightforward estates. A will is valid only if it is signed and witnessed exactly as your state requires (below); one that is not executed correctly may be ignored by the court. Larger estates, blended families, trusts for minor children or business interests are worth a lawyer's review.
What Minnesota law says
| Requirements for a valid will | Any person 18 or older who is of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by someone else in the testator's name, in the testator's conscious presence and at the testator's direction), and signed by at least two witnesses, each within a reasonable time after seeing the testator sign or acknowledge the signature or the will. |
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| Self-proving affidavit | A will can be made self-proved when it is signed, or at any later time, by the testator's acknowledgment and the witnesses' affidavits made before an officer authorized to administer oaths (such as a notary), using the statutory form. Source: Minn. Stat. § 524.2-504 |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Minnesota has no separate rule for handwritten, unwitnessed wills; a will made in Minnesota must meet the two-witness requirement. A will is also valid if it was executed in compliance with the law of the place where it was signed, or where the testator was domiciled, had a place of abode, or was a national. |
Fill it in
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF [your full name]
I, [your full name], of [city, county and state], being of sound mind, make this my will and revoke all earlier wills and codicils.
1. Executor. I name [executor name] as personal representative (executor). If they cannot serve, I name [alternate executor name].
2. Specific gifts. I give [item or amount] to [beneficiary name].
3. Everything else. I give the rest of my property to [beneficiaries and shares]. If a beneficiary does not survive me by 30 days, their share goes to [alternate beneficiary].
4. Guardian. If I have minor children, I name [guardian name] as guardian, and [alternate guardian name] as alternate.
Signed on [date signed] at [city and state]. Signature: ____________________
Witnesses: we signed below in the presence of the person making this will and of each other, as required by state law. Witness 1: [witness 1 name and address] ____________ Witness 2: [witness 2 name and address] ____________
[Notary or self-proving affidavit, if your state provides one]
Last Will and Testament for other states · Minnesota tenant rights
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.