What you get
- An editable Word document, drafted from your answers and the state's official text.
- A proof of sources: every citation in the draft with the words it quotes, the official source, the date the text was saved and its fingerprint.
- Notes for counsel listing each point marked [VERIFY], each blank and each choice left for the client.
What the intake asks
Plain questions, in the order an attorney would take the facts. Anything left blank stays a marked blank in the draft; nothing is invented to fill it.
The person and the family
- Testator's full legal name
- City or county where the testator lives
- Marital status
- Spouse's or partner's full name
- Does the testator have children, stepchildren or adopted children
- Children
- Anyone being deliberately left out
The trust
- Exact name of the trust
- Date of the trust instrument
- Trustee named to receive the estate
- Amendments and restatements
- If the trust does not exist at death
- Personal and household items
- Recipients of personal items
Who is in charge
- Executor (personal representative)
- Alternate executor
- Where does the executor live
- Waive the executor's bond
- Guardian of the person of minor children
- Alternate guardian
Signing and final wishes
- Give the executor authority over digital assets and online accounts
- Include a no-contest clause
- Include a self-proving affidavit
- Funeral or remains instructions
- Other instructions or open decisions
Where it is offered
Every state Lawsmith has official sources for:
CaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaMarylandMassachusettsNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaTexasVirginia
Official sources on file
The drafter works from the texts Lawsmith has saved for this document in the state you choose, plus federal law where it applies. Each is read from the official publisher and dated.
| State | Sources for this document |
|---|---|
| California | 47 |
| Connecticut | 39 |
| Delaware | 49 |
| District of Columbia | 27 |
| Florida | 41 |
| Maryland | 42 |
| Massachusetts | 38 |
| New Jersey | 41 |
| New York | 36 |
| Ohio | 38 |
| Pennsylvania | 48 |
| Texas | 48 |
| Virginia | 37 |
Among them, for New Jersey:
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-1 Individuals competent to make a will and appoint a testamentary guardian.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-2 Execution; witnessed wills; writings intended as wills.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-3 Writings intended as wills.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-4 Making will self-proved at time of execution.
- N.J.S.A. 3B:3-5 Making will self-proved subsequent to time of execution.
How the draft is checked
Before it writes, the drafter must quote the official text behind each citation. Lawsmith compares every quotation with the text on file, character for character; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked [VERIFY]. The draft still needs your review before it is signed, filed or sent. How citations are checked
More wills & estates documents
Last Will and TestamentRevocable Living TrustDurable Power of AttorneyAdvance Medical DirectiveHealth Care ProxyLiving WillHIPAA AuthorizationCertification of TrustAssignment of Assets to TrustCodicilTransfer-on-Death Deed