last-will-and-testament

name	last-will-and-testament
title	Last Will and Testament
description	Drafts and structures U.S. Last Will and Testament documents. Trigger when the user needs to draft, revise, or review a will covering executor/guardian appointments, specific or residuary distributions, contingency planning, or execution-ready attestation and self-proving packaging. Applies to keywords: last will, testament, probate, executor, guardian, residuary, revocation, no-contest, ademption, predeceased beneficiary, elective share.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/last-will-and-testament
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	trusts-and-estates
language	en
tags	["agreement","drafting","transactional"]

Last Will and Testament

Draft a probate-ready testament mapping client intent to enforceable will language under the applicable state's formalities.

Quick Start

1. Confirm testator identity, capacity, age, and domicile state.
2. Collect family map (spouse, children, adopted/step, minors, excluded persons).
3. Identify prior wills/codicils, trusts, POA, marriage agreements, beneficiary designations.
4. Gather asset/liability inventory (real estate, business interests, personalty, digital assets, debts).
5. Select fiduciaries: executor + alternate; guardian(s) for minors (person and estate if split).
6. Confirm state execution rules: witness count, disqualifications, notarization, self-proving standard [VERIFY].
7. Map risk preferences: spendthrift concerns, anti-lapse treatment, common-disaster clauses, contest exposure.
8. Decide revocation strategy and compatibility with non-probate plans (trusts, TOD/POD, joint tenancies).

Core Workflow

Step 1 — Intake Validation

Area	Collect	Pitfall
Identity	Full legal names, addresses, domicile	Misspelled names, outdated details
Family	All children + minor care needs; step/adopted distinctions	Predeceased-child or future-child disputes
Fiduciaries	Executor + alternate; guardian of person/estate	No backup executor
Property	Specific gifts list + residue universe	Omitted assets causing intestacy spillover
Contingencies	Death-before-testator branches, survivorship periods	Gifts failing under predecease or simultaneous death
Tax/Costs	Debt, tax, admin-payment sequence	Hidden tax liabilities, creditor disputes
Non-Probate	Trust triggers, account beneficiary tags, ownership structures	Conflicting transfers or partial revocations

Step 2 — Draft Will Sections

Section	Must Include	Notes
Revocation	Revokes all prior wills/codicils	Single clear supersession sentence
Funeral/Legacy	Optional memorial choices