What should a simple will checklist include?

A simple will checklist should identify the parties, explain the purpose, describe the main obligations, include payment or deadline terms where relevant, address default or termination, and include signature blocks or acknowledgment language.

Can I generate a Word version of this simple will checklist?

Yes. Use the Generate Word version button to open LibraDojo chat with a prefilled prompt that creates an editable, Word-ready draft.

Estate Planning template

Simple Will Checklist: how to write it, what to include, and common mistakes

A checklist for preparing a simple will, beneficiaries, executor, guardians, assets, debts, witnesses, and storage.

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What this simple will checklist is for

Use this before meeting a lawyer or drafting a simple estate planning document.

This free simple will checklist is designed as a practical starting point, not a final legal opinion. It helps organize the facts, duties, deadlines, payment terms, and signatures that usually matter in a estate planning document. Before using it, replace every placeholder with real information and check whether your state, country, court, employer, platform, landlord, or counterparty requires special language.

How to write a simple will checklist

1. Identify the parties clearly. Use full legal names, mailing addresses, emails, and role labels such as landlord, tenant, client, contractor, buyer, seller, employer, employee, borrower, or lender.
2. State the purpose in plain language. A reader should understand what the document does within the first paragraph. Avoid vague background facts that do not change the parties' rights.
3. Define the core obligations. Spell out who must do what, by when, where performance happens, and what counts as acceptable completion.
4. Add money, timing, and evidence details. If the document involves payment, deposits, refunds, deadlines, invoices, photos, receipts, or attachments, describe them precisely.
5. Include consequences and next steps. Explain what happens if someone misses a deadline, refuses performance, breaches the agreement, or needs to terminate the relationship.
6. Finish with review and signatures. Add signature blocks, dates, printed names, titles, and any witness, notary, attachment, or delivery requirements that apply locally.

Key clauses and sections to include

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Executor

Executor should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Guardian

Guardian should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Assets

Assets should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Debts

Debts should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Specific Gifts

Specific Gifts should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Witnesses

Witnesses should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Storage

Storage should be written in concrete terms, with names, dates, amounts, deadlines, responsibilities, and any condition that changes the parties' obligations under the simple will checklist.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using vague dates or amounts. Replace phrases like “soon,” “reasonable,” or “market rate” with exact dates, dollar amounts, formulas, or objective standards.
Forgetting local law. Many legal documents change by jurisdiction. A clause that works in one state or country may be unenforceable or incomplete elsewhere.
Leaving blank placeholders. Blank names, addresses, deadlines, exhibits, or payment fields create ambiguity and make the document harder to enforce.
Copying a clause without understanding it. If a clause changes liability, ownership, confidentiality, termination, arbitration, fees, or rights after a dispute, review it carefully before signing.
Skipping evidence and delivery records. For letters and disputes, save proof of delivery, screenshots, invoices, photos, receipts, and all replies.

Word-ready prompt

Use this prompt to generate a customized version of the template. LibraDojo can turn it into a complete editable draft and then export it as a Word document.

Create a simple will checklist in Word-ready format. Include beneficiaries, executor, backup executor, guardian nomination, assets, debts, specific gifts, residuary estate, witnesses, notarization/self-proving affidavit placeholder, and storage.

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Start from this simple will checklist, answer a few customization questions, and generate a polished Word-ready document with sections, placeholders, and a checklist of items to verify.

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