Article V

    For purposes of determining who is a descendant, child or issue of mine or of any other person:

  A. Legal adoption before the person adopted reached the age of twenty-one years shall be the equivalent in all respects to blood relationship; and

  B. A person born out of wedlock and those claiming through that person shall be deemed to be descendants (i) of the natural mother and her ancestors, and (ii) if the natural father acknowledges paternity, of the natural father and his ancestors, in each case unless a decree of adoption terminates such natural parent's parental rights.

  An article like this can literally save a hundred million dollars.  It seems a rather wealthy gentleman had an illegitimate child who sued for his share of the estate.  The other kids were surprised, and upset.

Article VI

    If my spouse predeceases me, then I name Brother Ted Sample and his Wife Sue, presently of Ourtown, as guardian(s) and, if necessary, as conservator(s) for each child of mine who has not reached legal age under the law of the jurisdiction in which the child is domiciled at my death. If two persons are named, and if either of them for any reason fails or ceases to act as either a guardian or a conservator, then the other of them shall act as sole guardian or sole conservator, as the case may be. No bond or other security shall be required of a guardian or conservator acting under this Article.

 If you have minor children, it is very important you let everyone know who you want to raise them if you die.  This may be the most important part of your will.

 I signed this will on _______ day of ____________________, 2002.

  ________________________________________________

Tom Sample

  On the date last above written, we saw Tom Sample, in our presence, sign the foregoing instrument at its end. He then declared it to be his will and requested us to act as witnesses to it. We then, in his presence and in the presence of each other, signed our names as attesting witnesses, believing him at all times herein mentioned to be of sound mind and memory and not acting under constraint of any kind.

  _________________________________________________

Witness

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Address

  _________________________________________________

Witness

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Address

   

State of Anystate

§

County of Big County

  We, the undersigned, Tom Sample, _______________________________________________ and ______________________________________________, the testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached instrument, being first duly sworn, declare to the undersigned authority that said instrument is the testator's Will and that the testator willingly signed and executed such instrument, or expressly directed another to sign the same in the presence of the witnesses, as a free and voluntary act for purposes therein expressed; that said witnesses, and each of them, declare to the undersigned authority that such Will was executed and acknowledged by the testator as the testator's Will in their presence and that they, in the testator's presence, at the testator's request, and in the presence of each other, did subscribe their names thereto as attesting witnesses on the date of the date of such Will; and that the testator, at the time of the execution of such instrument, was of full age and of sound mind and that the witnesses were sixteen years of age or older and otherwise competent to be witnesses.

  _________________________________________________

Tom Sample

  _________________________________________________

Witness

  _________________________________________________

Witness

  Subscribed, sworn and acknowledged before me by Tom Sample, the testator; and subscribed and sworn before me by_____________________________________, and __________________________________________, witnesses, this _____ day of ___________________________, 2002.

  ___________________________________________________

Notary Public in and for the State of Anystate

 

This last part of the will is called a self proving affidavit.  When a will is admitted to probate a witness usually signs an affidavit that he did in fact see the decedent sign the will.  In this case, we have the witnesses sign the affidavit and attach it to the will so it is ready when needed.

http://www.legalscribe.com/samplewillnumberone.htm