- 1). Place in writing basic information about yourself at the start of the last will and testament so that your identity is assured when it comes time to probate the will that you draft.
- 2). Set forth the names of individuals who you intend to receive certain assets or property that you own. There are no specific words you need to use under Pennsylvania law. You merely need to make certain that your intentions about who is to obtain property and assets that you own is clear.
- 3). Pennsylvania law requires that you sign your will in front of two witnesses and a notary public. You, the witnesses and the notary public all need to sign the will at the same time in the same place.
- 4). Request that the notary public have the witnesses sign what are known by law in Pennsylvania as self-proving affidavits. These are affidavit forms that state under oath that a particular person witnessed the signing of the will and that you were competent at the time of the execution. By signing a self-proving affidavit, a witness avoids the necessity of appearing in court at a future date if there is ever a question about your competence to sign a will.
- 5). Attach each of the signed and notarized self-proving affidavits to the back of the will. Use a paperclip as opposed to a staple.
- 6). Place the original copy of your will in a safe place. An ideal location is a safe deposit box at a bank.
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