Legal Definitions - will

A will is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes for how their property and assets should be distributed after they die. It is a way for someone to ensure that their belongings go to the people or organizations they choose. If someone dies without a will, their property will be distributed according to the laws of the state they lived in.

In order for a will to be considered valid, it must meet certain requirements:

• It must be in writing
• The person making the will (the "testator") must sign it
• It must be witnessed by at least two people
• In some states, it must also be notarized

If a will is not properly executed, it may still be considered valid if the court determines that any errors were minor and did not affect the testator's intent.

For example, let's say that John wants to make a will. He writes down his wishes for how his property should be distributed after he dies, signs it, and has two witnesses sign it as well. He keeps the will in a safe place and tells his family members where to find it in case anything happens to him.

When John passes away, his family finds the will and takes it to a lawyer. The lawyer reviews the will and determines that it meets all of the requirements for a valid will. John's wishes are then carried out according to the instructions in the will.

This example illustrates how a will can be used to ensure that a person's wishes are carried out after they die.