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📖 7 min read
A will is the foundation of every estate plan. Here's what it does, what it doesn't, and why it matters.
📋 Table of Contents
A will (formally a "Last Will and Testament") is a legal document that says:
Without a will, your state's laws decide all of this for you. That process is called intestacy, and the results might not match what you'd want.
What a will does NOT control:
You need a will if you:
In other words: everyone needs a will.
A will is the only way to legally name who you want to raise your children. Without one, a judge decides — and it might not be who you'd choose.
The person who carries out your wishes. They'll file the will with the court, pay debts, and distribute assets. Choose someone organized and trustworthy.
Who will raise your children if both parents pass. This is often the most important decision in a will.
Who gets what. You can leave specific items to specific people, divide things by percentage, or both.
Covers everything not specifically mentioned. Without this, unlisted assets go through intestacy.
Pet care, charitable donations, funeral wishes, digital assets, and anything else that matters to you.
👆 Select your state above to see specific requirements for your location.
Settled generates documents that meet your state's specific requirements. Complete the questionnaire and we handle the legal formatting.
Requirements vary significantly by state — from the number of witnesses needed to whether notarization is required. Make sure your documents comply with your state's specific laws.
Browse All State Guides →Probate is the legal process of validating your will and distributing your estate. Here's what happens:
Probate typically takes 6 months to a year and costs 2-5% of the estate value in fees.
Some assets skip probate entirely: retirement accounts, life insurance, joint accounts, and anything in a trust. This is one reason some people create trusts.
Even if you have a trust, you still need a "pour-over will" as a safety net to catch anything not titled in the trust's name.
Settled makes creating a will simple:
Ready to create your will?
Complete the questionnaire and we'll generate a will that covers all the key components above — customized for your family and your state.
Settled generates a state-specific will based on your answers. It takes about 15 minutes.