Will
What is it?
Wills are legal documents that explain what you want done with your property and the care of your dependents when you die. (Dependents may be minor children or family members you are legally responsible for).
Wills are difficult documents that require a high level of understanding to complete correctly. You can ask someone to help you think about all the things you want to happen after you die, however, the ideas and final decision in the Will should be yours.
Things to think about when completing your Will are…
- Do you have things that you want to give to family members and friends because they are important to you?
- What do you want to happen to your home?
- What should be done with your savings?
- Do you have things you want to give to a charity, church, or other organization?
To complete a Will you must meet the legal requirements of your state to be valid. In Tennessee it is required that the person making the Will:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Be able to understand to understand the benefits, risks and choices and make a decision and share your decision. Lawyers call this capacity
- The Will must be in writing and signed by the person making the Will
- Two people must sign that they have witnessed the signature of the person signing the Will
What does the law say?
You can read the law in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 32 Chapter 1 Section 102-106.
How do I learn more?
You are not required to have a lawyer to complete a Will. However, Disability Rights TN strongly recommends talking with a lawyer to help with completing these documents. If you would like more information or want to talk to a lawyer contact Disability Rights Tennessee call 1(800) 342-1660.