1. Family Information
I am [[Married / Single / Widowed / Divorced]]. My spouse's name (if applicable) is [[Spouse Full Name]]. My children are: [[List Children Full Names and Dates of Birth or "none"]] . Any reference to "my children" includes all children listed and any after-born or adopted children.
2. Appointment of Personal Representative
I appoint [[Personal Representative Full Name]] as Personal Representative (Executor) of my estate. If unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Personal Representative Full Name]] as successor. My Personal Representative shall have all powers granted under Michigan law, including the power to sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise deal with estate property without court order, to the extent permitted.
3. Appointment of Guardian
If I have minor children at the time of my death, I nominate [[Guardian Full Name]] as guardian of the person and estate of such minor children. If unable, [[Alternate Guardian Full Name]].
4. Payment of Debts and Expenses
I direct that all my legally enforceable debts, funeral expenses, expenses of last illness, and costs of administration be paid as soon after my death as practicable, from the residue of my estate unless otherwise provided.
5. Specific Bequests
I give, devise, and bequeath the following specific items:
- To [[Recipient 1 Full Name]]: [[Specific Item or Cash Amount, e.g., my 2018 Honda Civic, VIN xxxxx]] .
- To [[Recipient 2 Full Name]]: [[Specific Item or Cash Amount]] .
- To [[Recipient 3 Full Name]]: [[Specific Item or Cash Amount]] .
- To [[Recipient 4 Full Name]]: [[Specific Item or Cash Amount]] .
- To [[Recipient 5 Full Name]]: [[Specific Item or Cash Amount]] .
If any specific bequest lapses, it shall fall into the residue.
5A. Personal Effects and Tangible Personal Property
I give all my tangible personal property not specifically bequeathed (including furniture, clothing, jewelry, and household effects) to my residuary beneficiaries, to be divided as they agree, or if they cannot agree, as my Personal Representative determines in the Personal Representative's discretion.
6. Residuary Estate
I give, devise, and bequeath all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situated, of which I shall die seized or possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my death, to [[Residuary Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, e.g., my spouse if living, otherwise to my children in equal shares per stirpes]] .
7. Contingent Beneficiaries
If any beneficiary named above does not survive me by thirty (30) days, that beneficiary's share shall pass to the alternate beneficiary named for that gift, or if none, to the residuary beneficiaries.
8. No Contest Clause
If any beneficiary under this Will contests or attacks this Will or any of its provisions, or joins with or assists anyone in doing so, then such beneficiary shall receive only the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in lieu of any other interest in my estate.
9. Simultaneous Death
If any beneficiary and I die under circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to determine who survived the other, it shall be presumed that I survived such beneficiary.
10. Execution
I have signed this Will on [[Date]] at [[City, Michigan]].
Testator:
________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Testator Full Legal Name]]
Witnesses:
We, the undersigned witnesses, each being of legal age, declare that the Testator signed this Will in our presence, that the Testator appeared to be of sound mind, and that we signed as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and each other on the date written above.
Witness 1 Signature: ______________________________ Date: ___________
Printed Name: [[Witness 1 Full Name]] Address: [[Witness 1 Address]]
Witness 2 Signature: ______________________________ Date: ___________
Printed Name: [[Witness 2 Full Name]] Address: [[Witness 2 Address]]
11. Self-Proving Affidavit (Recommended under Michigan Law)
State of Michigan
County of [[County]]
We, [[Testator Full Legal Name]], [[Witness 1 Full Name]], and [[Witness 2 Full Name]], the Testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, being first duly sworn, do hereby declare to the undersigned authority that the Testator signed and executed the instrument as the Testator's last will and that the Testator had signed willingly, and that the Testator executed it as a free and voluntary act for the purposes therein expressed, and that each of the witnesses, in the presence and hearing of the Testator, signed the will as witness and that to the best of our knowledge the Testator was at that time eighteen years of age or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.
Testator: ________________________________
Witness 1: ________________________________
Witness 2: ________________________________
Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me by [[Testator Full Legal Name]], the Testator, and subscribed and sworn to before me by [[Witness 1]] and [[Witness 2]], witnesses, this [[Date]].
Notary Public Signature: _______________________________
My commission expires: ____________
12. Attorney Review Disclaimer
This is a template for illustrative and educational purposes. It is not legal advice. Michigan law requires certain formalities for wills (MCL 700.2502 et seq. - generally two witnesses). Holographic wills may be valid under limited circumstances. Consult a licensed Michigan attorney. As of June 2026.
13. Digital Assets
I authorize my Personal Representative to access, manage, distribute, or terminate my digital assets (email accounts, social media, cloud storage, cryptocurrency, domain names, etc.) to the extent permitted by the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act as adopted in Michigan (MCL 700.1001 et seq.) and platform terms. My Personal Representative may request access under applicable law.
14. Funeral and Burial Wishes
I direct that my remains be [[Disposition Wishes, e.g., buried / cremated / donated to science]] at [[Location or "as determined by my Personal Representative"]] . Any prepaid funeral arrangements are noted in a separate memorandum.
15. Charitable Bequests (If Any)
If I have made or wish to make charitable bequests, they are listed in a separate schedule or codicil.
16. Tax Apportionment
All estate, inheritance, and other death taxes shall be paid from the residue of my estate without apportionment among the beneficiaries, unless otherwise required by law or directed in a codicil.
17. Powers of Personal Representative
My Personal Representative shall have the powers granted under MCL 700.3715 and any additional powers set forth in this Will, including the power to retain, sell, or invest assets; to borrow money; to settle claims; and to make distributions in kind or in cash.
18. Michigan Law Governing
This Will shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, including the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq.
19. No Bond Required
I direct that no bond or other security be required of any Personal Representative or guardian named in this Will, to the extent permitted by law.
20. Informal Probate
I request that this Will be admitted to informal probate if permitted under Michigan law and that my Personal Representative be appointed without unnecessary court supervision.
21. Memoranda
I may leave a separate written memorandum disposing of items of tangible personal property. Such memorandum, if signed and dated, shall be given effect to the extent permitted by MCL 700.2513.
22. Severability
If any provision of this Will is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
23. Signature Page Confirmation
I have read this Will consisting of the pages preceding this signature and understand its contents. I sign it as my free and voluntary act.
24. Additional Bequest Detail
If additional specific gifts or charitable intentions are not listed above, they are set forth in a signed memorandum or codicil that I intend to be incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law.
25. Final Declaration
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on the date first written above.
26. Witness and Notary Confirmation
The attached self-proving affidavit and witness signatures confirm proper execution under Michigan law.
27. Copy Distribution
I request that copies of this Will be provided to my Personal Representative and key beneficiaries upon request or as part of estate planning records.
28. Updates
I understand that I should review and update this Will upon marriage, divorce, birth of children, significant asset changes, or changes in law or residence.
29. Tax and Legal Advice Disclaimer in Will Context
This document is a will template. Tax consequences (including federal estate tax and Michigan inheritance tax if applicable) and other legal effects should be reviewed with qualified professionals. No representation is made regarding tax savings or avoidance.
30. Closing
This concludes my Last Will and Testament.
31. Additional Confirmation
All prior wills are revoked. This Will is intended to be my final testamentary expression.
Sources (as of 2026-06): MCL 700.2501 et seq. (execution of wills); MCL 700.3401 et seq. (self-proved wills); Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC). Cross-checked against Michigan probate court guidance and standard will forms.
Template - not professional advice. Verify execution requirements, tax implications, and beneficiary designations with current Michigan law and a licensed attorney. Update this will upon major life events.
