How to Make a Will in Pennsylvania: A Practical Guide

Making a will in Pennsylvania does not require complicated legal language. A properly prepared will can explain who should receive your property, who should manage your estate, and who you would prefer to care for minor children if both parents are unable to do so.

The most important part is following Pennsylvania’s legal requirements while making clear, practical decisions about your wishes. This guide explains how to write and execute a Pennsylvania will, whether you use a sample form, online template, or assistance from an attorney.

Who Can Make a Will in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, a person may make a will if they are at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The law generally requires the person making the will, known as the testator, to understand the nature of the document and the property and people affected by it.

Being of sound mind does not mean a person must understand every legal detail. However, the testator should generally understand:

That they are making a will.
The general nature and extent of their property.
The people who might reasonably expect to receive property.
The people they intend to name as beneficiaries.

If there are concerns about memory loss, illness, pressure from another person, or possible undue influence, obtaining legal advice before signing can help protect the validity of the will.

What Does a Pennsylvania Will Do?

A last will and testament can address several important decisions.

Name beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are the people or organizations you want to receive property after your death. You may name:

A spouse.
Children or other relatives.
Friends.
Charitable organizations.
A trust or other permitted beneficiary arrangement.

Use full legal names where possible. If two people have similar names, include enough information to identify the intended person clearly.

Name an executor

The executor is the person responsible for handling the estate according to the will and Pennsylvania law.

An executor may need to:

Locate and protect estate property.
Pay valid debts and expenses.
File required court documents.
Communicate with beneficiaries.
Distribute property after legal requirements are satisfied.

Choose someone responsible, organized, trustworthy, and willing to serve. You may also name an alternate executor in case your first choice cannot or does not want to serve.

Nominate a guardian for minor children

If you have minor children, you can use a will to express your preferred guardian nomination. A will does not automatically guarantee that the nominated person will receive custody. A court may still need to determine guardianship based on the child’s best interests and applicable law.

Naming a preferred guardian and an alternate guardian can nevertheless provide useful guidance to the court and family members.

Describe important property

A will can cover many types of property, including:

Real estate.
Bank accounts that are payable through the estate.
Vehicles.
Jewelry.
Personal belongings.
Business interests.
Investment accounts, subject to beneficiary-designation rules.

Not every asset passes through a will. Some property may transfer directly through joint ownership, beneficiary designations, payable-on-death arrangements, or other legal mechanisms.

Step 1: Gather Your Information Before Writing

Before preparing a Pennsylvania will, collect the information needed to make informed decisions.

Personal information

Prepare:

Your full legal name.
Current address.
Marital status.
Names of children and other intended beneficiaries.
Names of possible executors.
Names of possible guardians for minor children.

Property information

Make a general list of your major assets. You do not necessarily need to list every household item individually.

Consider:

Home or other real estate.
Bank and investment accounts.
Vehicles.
Valuable personal property.
Business ownership.
Digital assets.
Family heirlooms.

You should also identify major debts and obligations. Although a will does not eliminate debts, knowing your financial position can help you plan realistically.

Existing documents

Gather copies of:

Previous wills.
Trust documents.
Deeds.
Marriage or divorce documents, when relevant.
Beneficiary-designation records.
Business agreements.
Property ownership records.

Reviewing these documents helps prevent conflicts between your will and other arrangements.

Step 2: Decide Who Should Receive Your Property

Write down your intended beneficiaries before filling out a Pennsylvania will template.

Think about:

Who should receive your estate if your spouse survives you?
What should happen if a beneficiary dies before you?
Should children inherit equally?
Should younger beneficiaries receive property directly or through a trust arrangement?
Do you want to leave specific items to particular people?
Do you want to include charitable gifts?

Specific gifts and the remaining estate

A will may include specific gifts, such as leaving a particular vehicle or piece of jewelry to a named person. It should also explain who receives the remaining estate after debts, expenses, and specific gifts are handled.

This remaining property is commonly called the residuary estate.

A clear residuary clause can help reduce uncertainty if you acquire new property after signing the will.

Include backup beneficiaries

It is wise to consider what happens if a beneficiary dies before you. Without clear instructions, the distribution of property may become more complicated.

For example, you may state whether a deceased beneficiary’s children should receive that person’s share or whether the share should pass to other named beneficiaries.

Step 3: Choose an Executor and Alternate Executor

Selecting an executor is one of the most important decisions in making a will in Pennsylvania.

The executor should be able to manage paperwork, communicate with family members, and follow legal instructions. The person does not necessarily need to be a lawyer or financial professional.

Possible choices include:

A trusted family member.
A close friend.
A professional fiduciary.
An attorney or financial professional, where appropriate.

Before naming someone, ask whether they are willing to serve. Also consider naming an alternate executor.

If your estate includes a business, multiple properties, significant debt, or potential family conflict, professional advice may be especially helpful.

Step 4: Decide Whether You Need a Guardian Nomination

Parents of minor children should consider including a guardian nomination in their will.

The nomination should identify:

Your first-choice guardian.
An alternate guardian.
Why the proposed guardian is suitable, if appropriate.
Any important information about the children’s needs.

You should discuss the responsibility with the proposed guardian before naming them.

A will is not the same as a child-custody order or a living will. A last will addresses property and certain post-death instructions, while a living will generally addresses medical treatment decisions during life.

Step 5: Use a Pennsylvania Will Template Carefully

A Pennsylvania will template or sample Pennsylvania will can help organize information, but a form should not be treated as automatically valid simply because it is available online.

Before using a template, check whether it:

Identifies the testator correctly.
Includes beneficiary instructions.
Names an executor and alternate executor.
Addresses the remaining estate.
Provides appropriate language for minor children, if relevant.
Includes a proper signature section.
Avoids conflicting or incomplete provisions.

Should you use a sample Pennsylvania will?

A simple sample form may be suitable for organizing basic wishes. However, an online form may not account for important personal circumstances, including:

Blended families.
Children from previous relationships.
Business ownership.
Significant property.
Disabled beneficiaries.
Estranged relatives.
Possible inheritance disputes.

A lawyer can help identify issues that a general template may overlook.

Step 6: Put the Will in Writing

Pennsylvania law generally requires a will to be in writing and signed by the testator at the end of the document. The statute also provides special rules for signing by mark or signing through another person when the testator cannot sign personally.

The document should clearly identify itself as your last will and testament. It should also state that you are revoking earlier wills if that is your intention.

Avoid leaving handwritten notes, crossed-out provisions, or informal instructions that could create uncertainty.

Keep the language clear

You do not need complicated legal wording to express straightforward wishes. Use direct language and identify people and property as clearly as possible.

For example, instead of writing “my house,” identify the property by its address or other sufficient description.

Step 7: Sign the Will Properly

Pennsylvania’s will-execution rules differ from those of some other states. Under Pennsylvania law, a written will must generally be signed by the testator at the end. The statute does not impose the same standard witness-signature requirement found in many states for an ordinary will signed personally by the testator.

However, the probate process requires proof of the will, and Pennsylvania law provides procedures involving competent witnesses.

For practical purposes, having appropriate witnesses and a properly prepared execution process can help avoid disputes later.

Can a Pennsylvania will be notarized?

Notarization is not generally the same as executing a will. A notary verifies or acknowledges signatures and administers oaths; notarization alone does not replace the substantive requirements for creating a valid will.

Pennsylvania law allows an attested will to be made self-proved through the testator’s acknowledgment and witness affidavits before an officer authorized to administer oaths, such as a notary public.

A self-proving affidavit can make the probate process more efficient because it may allow the register to accept the affidavit as proof of the facts stated without requiring the witnesses to appear later, unless an exception applies.

Why use witnesses if Pennsylvania law is different?

Using witnesses can provide evidence that:

You signed voluntarily.
You understood that you were signing a will.
You were acting without undue influence.
The document was executed properly.

Witnesses should be competent adults who understand their role and can later confirm what occurred if necessary.

Step 8: Consider Making the Will Self-Proving

A self-proving will includes additional acknowledgment and affidavit formalities. Pennsylvania law permits an attested will to become self-proved when the testator acknowledges the will and the witnesses complete affidavits before an authorized officer or through an authorized attorney-certification process.

The benefit is practical: when the will is submitted for probate, the self-proving documentation may reduce the need for additional witness testimony.

Before signing, confirm that the self-proving affidavit is completed correctly and attached to the will.

Step 9: Review Beneficiary Designations Separately

A will does not control every asset.

Certain assets may pass outside the probate estate through:

Joint ownership.
Payable-on-death accounts.
Transfer-on-death arrangements.
Retirement-account beneficiary designations.
Life-insurance beneficiary designations.
Certain trusts.

For example, if a retirement account names a beneficiary who differs from the person named in your will, the beneficiary designation may control that account.

After making a will, review related accounts and documents to make sure they do not unintentionally contradict your wishes.

Step 10: Store the Original Will Safely

After signing, protect the original document.

Possible storage options include:

A secure home location.
A safe-deposit arrangement, after considering access procedures.
A lawyer’s secure storage service.
Another secure location known to your executor.

Tell your executor or a trusted person where the original will can be found. Do not keep its location secret from everyone who may need to locate it.

Avoid making unnecessary handwritten changes to the signed original. Changes can create questions about whether the document was revoked or altered properly.

Step 11: Review and Update the Will

A will should be reviewed after major life events.

Consider reviewing it after:

Marriage.
Divorce.
Birth or adoption of a child.
Death of a beneficiary.
Death or incapacity of an executor.
Major changes in property.
Moving to another state.
Starting or selling a business.
Changes in family relationships.

A will may also need review when beneficiary designations or property ownership arrangements change.

Codicil or new will?

A codicil is an amendment to an existing will. For minor changes, a properly prepared codicil may be appropriate. For substantial changes, preparing a new will may be clearer and reduce the risk of conflicting documents.

Do not simply cross out provisions or attach informal notes to an existing will without understanding the legal effect.

Common Mistakes When Writing a Will in Pennsylvania

Using an incomplete online form

A template that omits important provisions may not reflect your actual wishes.

Failing to name alternate beneficiaries

If a beneficiary dies before you and the will does not address the situation, the property may not pass as expected.

Forgetting the residuary estate

Specific gifts alone may leave uncertainty about who receives the rest of your property.

Naming an unwilling executor

Always discuss the appointment with the proposed executor beforehand.

Ignoring non-probate assets

A will may not control jointly owned property or accounts with beneficiary designations.

Making handwritten changes

Informal alterations can create uncertainty about which provisions are valid.

Failing to update the document

An old will may no longer reflect your family, property, or financial circumstances.

Assuming notarization solves every problem

A notarized signature does not automatically make an otherwise defective will valid.

When Should You Hire a Pennsylvania Estate-Planning Lawyer?

A simple estate may be manageable with careful preparation, but professional legal advice is valuable when circumstances are complicated.

Consider consulting a Pennsylvania estate-planning lawyer if you have:

A blended family.
Minor children from different relationships.
A disabled beneficiary.
A business.
Significant real estate.
Property in multiple states.
A complicated tax situation.
Family conflict.
Concerns about undue influence or capacity.
A beneficiary who may challenge the will.

An attorney can also review the interaction between your will, trusts, beneficiary designations, and property ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a will in Pennsylvania?

To make a will in Pennsylvania, identify your beneficiaries, choose an executor, decide how your property should be distributed, prepare the document in writing, sign it according to Pennsylvania law, and store the original safely.

Does Pennsylvania require witnesses for a will?

Pennsylvania’s execution statute focuses on a written will signed by the testator and provides special rules for signatures by mark or through another person. Probate law separately addresses proof of wills and competent witnesses. Because execution and probate procedures can differ, using an appropriate formal signing process is recommended.

Does a Pennsylvania will need to be notarized?

Notarization is not generally the basic requirement that creates a valid will. However, notarization may be used for a self-proving affidavit, which can simplify proof during probate.

Can I use a Pennsylvania will template?

Yes, a template can help organize a straightforward will, but it may not address complex family, property, or beneficiary issues. Review the form carefully and consider legal advice when circumstances are complicated.

Can I write my own will in Pennsylvania?

Yes. A person may prepare their own will, provided the document complies with Pennsylvania law. The document should clearly express testamentary wishes and be executed properly.

Can I change my will after signing it?

Yes. You can generally update your estate plan when circumstances change. Depending on the extent of the changes, you may use a codicil or prepare a new will.

Where should I keep my original will?

Keep the original in a secure location that your executor can access after your death. Make sure a trusted person knows where it is stored.

Pennsylvania Will-Making Checklist

Before finalizing your will, confirm that you have:

Confirmed that you meet the legal requirements to make a will.
Identified your intended beneficiaries.
Chosen an executor.
Named an alternate executor.
Considered a guardian nomination for minor children.
Listed major assets and property.
Reviewed beneficiary designations on accounts and policies.
Prepared a written will.
Signed the will according to Pennsylvania requirements.
Considered a self-proving affidavit.
Stored the original securely.
Told a trusted person where the original is located.
Scheduled a future review after major life changes.

Practical Next Steps

If you are ready to make a will in Pennsylvania, start by gathering your personal and financial information. Decide who should receive your property and who should manage the estate. Then prepare a clear written document and follow Pennsylvania’s execution requirements carefully.

For a straightforward estate, a reliable Pennsylvania will template may provide a starting point. For a blended family, business owner, property owner, or anyone with unusual circumstances, professional legal advice can help prevent avoidable problems.

Legal Information Disclaimer

This article provides general legal information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Pennsylvania law may change, and individual circumstances can affect the validity and interpretation of a will. Consult a qualified Pennsylvania attorney for advice about your specific situation.