Make a Connecticut Last Will and Testament

Connecticut State Last Will and Testament Laws

Definition of Will - Chapter 802a - Wills: Execution and Construction

Laws - Chapter 802a Wills: Execution and Construction

Witnesses - According to §45a-251, the Will must be signed by two (2) witnesses.

A Sample Connecticut Last Will and Testament with Examples of Each Step

Step 1 - Using the template provided by FormSwift, enter your name, and then your identified gender.

Step 2 - Provide your city and county of residence.

Step 3 - Provide your marital status from one of the following choices:

• Single
• Married
• Separated
• Divorced
• Widowed

If you do not identify as single, provide the name of your spouse.

Step 4 - If you have any children, pets, property, or any life insurance policies, provide that information here.

Step 5 - Provide the names of your children, if they are living, and whether they will be named as beneficiaries in your will. Additionally, list the names of any pets. List information about any existing life insurance policies

Step 6 - State the amount of money or the percentage of the property you’d like to leave each child.

Step 7 - Specify whether or not you’d like to set up a trust for someone so you know that requires special care or has a disability. Setting up a trust for a person who needs special care or who has a disability can prevent interference with their eligibility to receive Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid benefits.

Step 8 - State the age that your children must be when they may start receiving benefits from their trust, the amount of the trust that will be received, as well as the age they will be when the benefits come to an end.

Step 9 - If you would like your body taken to a specific funeral home once you pass away, provide the name and address of this funeral home.

Step 10 - If you want a specific meal served after the funeral or for the meal to take place at a certain location, provide that information here. If you have other burial arrangements that you’ve pre-arranged or that you want honored, list those as well.

Step 11 - Name your Executor - Naming your Executor is important. If you neglect to name you Executor, the court may appoint one for you. Appoint your Executor by providing the following information of him or her.

• Executor name
• Relationship to you

Additionally, if there is someone you do not want to act as your Executor under any circumstances, provide their name and relationship to you. Also, if you want to appoint an alternate Executor, provide their name and relationship to you as well.

Step 12 - Appoint a Trustee - If your assets are in a trust, appoint a Trustee to distribute the assets out of your trust by providing the following information:

• Name of Trustee
• Relationship with you

Step 13 - Digital Executor - If you have digital assets, appoint a Digital Executor to distribute your digital assets. Digital Assets may include royalties, ebooks, copyrights, trademarks, valuable photos, digital currency, etc. To appoint a Digital Executor, provide the following information:

• Name of Digital Executor
• Relationship to you

Step 14 - Appointing a Guardian for Your Minor Children - If you have minor children and you want to appoint a guardian for them, provide their information below (as well as information for an alternative guardian as well as a conservator):

• Name of Guardian
• Relationship with you

Step 15 - Additional Beneficiaries - If there are more beneficiaries that you’d like to appoint, besides your children, provide the following details about this person :

• Beneficiary’s name
• Beneficiary’s relationship with you
• Beneficiary’s Inheritance amount or percentage

Step 16 - Disinheriting a Beneficiary - If you want to disinherit a spouse, a child, or another beneficiary for any reason, provide information about them here:

• Disinherited person’s name
• Relationship to you

Step 17 - Witnesses - The State of Connecticut requires two (2) witnesses. Provide the following information for each witness:

• Name
• Address (including city, state, zip code)
• Telephone Number

Why do you need a Connecticut last will and testament form?

In Connecticut, having a last will and testament is a crucial step in estate planning since it ensures that your wishes are carried out upon death. A will in Connecticut must be made by a testator that is at least 18 years old and of sound mind. A will must have an original signature and at least two witness signatures. Testators may include in their wills any disbursement of assets, medical wishes, or guardianship of dependents. Wills in Connecticut may be revoked at the testator’s discretion at any time.

The benefits of having a will

According to Connecticut law, a last will and testament is not required. However, without one, any assets, as well as guardianship decisions, will be made by the probate court and your loved ones may be left with nothing.

• Having a last will and testament is important so that you can appoint an executor or someone who will be responsible for carrying out your stated wishes.
• Any real estate, financial holdings, businesses, bank accounts, or other assets can be included and dispersed according to the testator’s wishes.
• Guardianship of any minors/dependents can also be included in a last will and testament.
• Connecticut wills can also include pet trusts and pet guardianship.
• Wills must be proven in probate court to become valid before executors can use any assets to pay off debts or taxes. Estates worth less than $40,000 may be able to skip the probate process. However, there are strict requirements that must be met.

The costs of not having a will

Without a will in Connecticut, intestacy laws will be enacted meaning only spouses, descendants, and other family members can inherit property. Without a will, a spouse will inherit the first $100,000 and half of the balance. The rest will be split among any surviving descendants. If there are no descendants, a spouse will inherit $100,000 and three-fourths of the balance. The rest will go to surviving parents. Without a spouse or descendants, the state will find any other close living relative. If none are found, the state will absorb any property. Any property jointly owned and any life insurance beneficiaries cannot be included in a will. If a spouse is excluded from a will, they are still entitled to one-third of the decedent’s share of the estate. Connecticut does not recognize holographic or oral wills that are made within the state.