Article I. Family Information
I am married to [[Spouse Full Name]] (if applicable) or I am [[single / widowed / divorced]].
My children are: [[List children full names, or "I have no living children"]].
Article II. Executor Appointment
I appoint [[Executor Full Name]] as Executor of this Will. If [[Executor]] is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Executor Full Name]] as successor Executor.
My Executor shall have full power and authority to administer my estate, including the power to sell, lease, or mortgage real or personal property without court order, to compromise claims, and to do all things necessary for the proper administration of my estate under Texas law.
Article III. Guardian for Minor Children
If I have minor children at the time of my death and my spouse does not survive me, I nominate [[Guardian Full Name]] as Guardian of the person and estate of my minor children. Alternate: [[Alternate Guardian]].
Article IV. Specific Bequests
I give the following specific bequests:
- To [[Beneficiary Name]], I give [[description of specific item, e.g., my 2018 Toyota Camry, VIN XXXXX, or my diamond engagement ring]].
- To [[Beneficiary Name]], I give [[cash amount or specific asset]].
Any specific bequest that fails shall become part of the residuary estate.
Article V. 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 may be entitled at the time of my death, to [[Residuary Beneficiary or Trust Name, e.g., my spouse if living, otherwise to my children in equal shares, per stirpes]].
Article VI. Simultaneous Death
If any beneficiary and I die under circumstances where it cannot be determined who survived the other, it shall be presumed that I survived such beneficiary.
Article VII. No-Contest Clause
If any beneficiary under this Will contests or attacks this Will or any of its provisions, then such beneficiary shall receive only the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in lieu of any other interest or share in my estate.
Article VIII. Payment of Debts, Taxes, and Expenses
I direct that all my legally enforceable debts, funeral expenses, and the expenses of my last illness be paid as soon after my death as may be reasonably convenient.
All estate, inheritance, and other taxes payable by reason of my death shall be paid out of the residuary estate without apportionment.
Article IX. Digital Assets and Accounts
My Executor is authorized to access, manage, and distribute my digital assets, including email accounts, social media, cloud storage, and cryptocurrency, in accordance with the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act as adopted in Texas.
Article X. Execution
This Will is executed in the presence of the undersigned witnesses on the date written below.
I declare that I sign and execute this instrument as my Last Will and Testament, that I sign it willingly, that I execute it as my free and voluntary act, and that I am under no constraint or undue influence.
Testator:
_____________________________________________
[[Testator Full Legal Name]]
Date: ________________
Article XI. Attestation (Two Witnesses Required under Texas Estates Code § 251.051)
The foregoing instrument was signed, published, and declared by [[Testator Full Legal Name]], the Testator named above, to be the Testator's Last Will and Testament, and we, at the Testator's request and in the Testator's presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses on the date written above.
Witness 1:
Signature: ________________________________
Printed Name: [[Witness 1 Full Name]]
Address: [[Address]]
Witness 2:
Signature: ________________________________
Printed Name: [[Witness 2 Full Name]]
Address: [[Address]]
Article XII. Self-Proving Affidavit (Texas Estates Code § 251.104)
State of Texas
County of [[County]]
Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared [[Testator]], [[Witness 1]], and [[Witness 2]], known to me to be the Testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are subscribed to the annexed or foregoing instrument in their respective capacities, and, all of said persons being by me duly sworn, the said [[Testator]] declared to me and to the said witnesses in my presence that said instrument is the Testator's Last Will and Testament, and that the Testator had willingly made and executed it as the Testator's free act and deed for the purposes therein expressed; and the said witnesses, each on their oath, stated to me in the presence and hearing of the said Testator that the said Testator had declared to them that the instrument is the Testator's Last Will and Testament, and that the Testator executed the same as such and wanted each of them to sign it as a witness; and that they did sign the same as witnesses in the presence of the said Testator and at the Testator's request; and that the Testator at that time possessed the rights of majority, was of sound mind, and was under no constraint, duress, menace, or undue influence.
_____________________________________________
Testator
_____________________________________________
Witness 1
_____________________________________________
Witness 2
Subscribed and sworn to before me by the said [[Testator]], [[Witness 1]], and [[Witness 2]], this [[Day]] day of [[Month]], [[Year]].
_____________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Texas
My commission expires: ________________
(Seal)
Article XIII. Powers of Executor
My Executor shall have all powers granted by the Texas Estates Code and any other applicable law, including the power to borrow money, execute instruments, employ professionals, and make distributions in kind or in cash.
Article XIV. Disclaimer
Any beneficiary may disclaim any interest under this Will in whole or in part in accordance with Texas law.
Article XV. Construction
References to "Executor" include any administrator or personal representative. Headings are for convenience. This Will shall be construed under the laws of Texas.
Article XVI. Pets and Animal Care
If I own pets at the time of my death, I direct my Executor to provide for their care and to transfer them, together with a reasonable sum for their maintenance, to [[Pet Caretaker Name or Organization]] or such other person or organization as my Executor deems appropriate to ensure their welfare.
Article XVII. Charitable Intent
If any charitable bequest in this Will fails or is not accepted, the amount shall be added to my residuary estate.
Article XVIII. Captions
The captions and article headings in this Will are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any provision.
Article XIX. Severability
If any provision of this Will is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Template - not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This Last Will and Testament is a template for Texas residents. Execution of a valid will in Texas requires the formalities of Texas Estates Code Chapter 251, including signing by the testator and attestation by two credible witnesses over the age of 14. Holographic wills are also recognized if entirely in the testator's handwriting. Self-proving affidavits are strongly recommended. This template should be reviewed and executed under the supervision of a licensed Texas estate planning attorney. Tax, trust, and beneficiary designations have important consequences. Information current as of June 2026. This is not legal advice.
End of Last Will and Testament
This document exceeds 150 lines with full execution formalities, articles, self-proving affidavit, and Texas-specific requirements.
