Last Will and Testament Format
Draft a will naming who receives your assets, an executor and, if needed, a guardian for minor children.
What it is
A will is a legal declaration of how a person wants their property to be distributed after death. Wills of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis are governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925; wills of Muslims are largely governed by Muslim personal law. A will can be changed or revoked at any time during the testator's lifetime.
When it is used
- Deciding how property, bank accounts and investments should pass.
- Appointing an executor to carry out your wishes.
- Naming a guardian for minor children.
What the template covers
- Revocation of earlier wills and family status
- Bequest and distribution of assets
- Appointment of executor
- Guardian for minor children (optional)
- General provisions, signature and two witnesses
Details you will need
The generator asks for the following. Fields marked with an asterisk in the form are required; the rest can be left blank and filled in later in Word.
Will Details
Date of Will; Place of Execution; Stamp Paper Value (₹)
Testator
Full Name; S/o, D/o or W/o; Age; Residential Address; Occupation; Religion
Family
Spouse Name (if living); Children: Child Name, Age, Son / Daughter
Assets & Bequests
Assets and their Distribution
Executor
Executor Full Name; Executor Address; Relationship to Testator
Guardian
Guardian for Minor Children?; Guardian Name; Guardian Address
Stamp duty, registration and filing
Under Section 63 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, the testator must sign the will and it must be attested by two witnesses, each of whom has seen the testator sign. No stamp duty is payable on a will. Registration is optional, though a registered will is harder to dispute. Probate is compulsory in some cases, for example for wills made by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains within the ordinary original civil jurisdiction of the High Courts at Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai, or relating to property there.
Generate the Last Will and Testament
Fill in the form and download the draft as a Word file. It is a general template, not legal or professional advice; have it reviewed for your facts before you sign or rely on it.
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Frequently asked questions
Does a will need to be registered?
No. Registration of a will is optional under the Registration Act, 1908. A registered will is kept with the Sub-Registrar, which can help if its genuineness is questioned.
Can a beneficiary be a witness to the will?
A beneficiary should not act as a witness. Under Section 67 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, a bequest to an attesting witness or their spouse is void, although the will itself remains valid.
Can I change my will later?
Yes. You can make a new will that revokes the earlier one, or add a codicil executed with the same formalities. The latest valid will prevails.
This page gives general information for reference only. Laws, stamp duty rates and filing requirements change and differ between States, so confirm the current position for your case. Related: all document templates · free tax calculators · compliance calendar and guides.