Best examples of basic will form examples for married couples

Quick, realistic examples of basic will form examples for married couples

Let’s start with what most couples actually want to see: real-world style examples. Not theory. Not legal jargon for lawyers. Just plain-English wording you could imagine putting into a simple will form.

Below are several examples of basic will form examples for married couples in different situations. These are simplified, educational samples — not one-size-fits-all legal documents — but they’ll help you understand the typical structure and choices.

Example of a very simple “everything to spouse, then kids” will

This is the classic setup for a married couple with shared children and no complicated property or business interests.

Scenario: Jordan and Casey are married, live in one state, and have two minor kids together. All assets are jointly owned or have no special designations.

Key parts of their basic will form might read like this:

1. Appointment of Executor
I appoint my spouse, CASEY TAYLOR, as the Executor of this Will. If my spouse does not survive me or is unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint my sister, ALEXIS TAYLOR, as alternate Executor.

2. Gift to Spouse
I give all of my property, of whatever kind and wherever located, including any property over which I may have a power of appointment at my death, to my spouse, CASEY TAYLOR, if my spouse survives me.

3. Gift to Children if Spouse Does Not Survive
If my spouse does not survive me, I give all of my property in equal shares to my children, SAM TAYLOR and LUCY TAYLOR, per stirpes.

This is one of the most common examples of basic will form examples for married couples who share kids and simply want everything to pass to the surviving spouse first.

Example of a will for married couples with stepchildren

Things change when one or both spouses have children from previous relationships. If you don’t spell things out, stepchildren may be left out entirely under default state law.

Scenario: Maria and David are married. Maria has one son from a prior relationship; they also have one daughter together.

Their basic will form might include language like:

2. Gift to Spouse and Children
I give all of my property to my spouse, DAVID COLE, if he survives me.
If my spouse does not survive me, I give my property as follows:
a. One-half (1/2) to my son, LEO RAMIREZ; and
b. One-half (1/2) to my daughter, EMMA COLE, in equal shares per stirpes.

Here, the will clearly includes the stepchild (Maria’s son) by name. Without this kind of clause, only the legal or adopted children might inherit. This is one of the best examples of how a basic will form can protect blended families without getting overly technical.

Joint vs. separate wills: real examples and modern trends

In 2024–2025, most estate lawyers strongly prefer separate wills for each spouse rather than a single “joint will.” Joint wills used to be popular as a basic will form for married couples, but they can lock both spouses into terms that are hard to change later.

Example of separate but coordinated wills:

• Each spouse signs their own will.
• The wills mirror each other: each leaves everything to the other spouse, then to the same list of children or beneficiaries.
• Each will names the other spouse as executor, with the same backup executor.

The wording often looks like the earlier Jordan/Casey example — just with names swapped. This kind of mirrored setup is one of the best examples of basic will form examples for married couples who want simplicity but still want the flexibility to change their own will later if life changes.

For a deeper legal overview of wills and estate planning, the American Bar Association has a user-friendly guide: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/

Example of a basic will form with guardians for minor children

If you have kids under 18, the part of the will that often matters most to parents is the guardian clause.

Scenario: Priya and Alex have three young children. They want Priya’s sister to raise the children if both parents die.

Their will might include:

4. Nomination of Guardian for Minor Children
If my spouse does not survive me, or if my spouse and I die under circumstances making it difficult to determine who died first, I nominate my sister, RINA PATEL, as Guardian of the person and estate of any minor child of mine. If RINA PATEL is unable or unwilling to serve, I nominate my friend, KIMBERLY LEE, as alternate Guardian.

This is a clear example of basic will form language that many married couples with young kids include. It doesn’t guarantee the court must choose that person, but it’s strong evidence of your wishes.

For more background on guardianship and minors, many couples review state-specific resources, such as the California Courts Guardianship overview: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-guardianship.htm (even if you’re not in California, it’s a helpful explainer).

Examples of basic will form examples for married couples with a home and mortgage

Most couples own or plan to own a home. The good news: your will does not need to list every item of property one by one. You can leave “all my property” to your spouse, and that usually includes your share of the home.

Scenario: Taylor and Morgan own a house together with a mortgage. The deed says “joint tenants with right of survivorship.”

What often happens in practice:

• If Taylor dies first, Morgan automatically owns the whole house by right of survivorship, even without the will.
• The will still backs this up by leaving “all my property” to Morgan.

Sample wording:

I give all of my tangible and intangible property, including any interest I may own in our residence located at 123 OAK STREET, to my spouse, MORGAN LEE, if my spouse survives me.

This is a practical example of basic will form language that quietly includes the home without getting bogged down in mortgage details.

For general background on property and survivorship, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers homeowner resources: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/

Example of a basic will form that mentions digital assets

In 2024–2025, more couples are adding simple language about digital assets: cloud photos, email, social media, and online banking.

Scenario: Chris and Jamie want each other to have access to digital accounts if one of them dies.

Their will might say:

5. Digital Assets and Online Accounts
I give my Executor authority to access, manage, and close my digital assets and electronic communications, including but not limited to email accounts, social media accounts, cloud storage, and digital financial accounts, to the extent permitted by applicable law. I request that my Executor provide my spouse, JAMIE PARK, with access to digital photos, videos, and personal files.

This is a modern example of basic will form language that fits naturally into a simple will and reflects current digital realities.

Examples include pet care, small gifts, and personal items

Many married couples care a lot about who gets the dog or certain sentimental items. A basic will form can handle this with short, targeted clauses.

Example: Pet care clause

6. Pets
I give any pets I own at my death to my spouse, ALEX RIVERA. If my spouse does not survive me, I give my pets to my friend, JORDAN SMITH, and I request (but do not require) that $5,000 from my estate be used for their care.

Example: Personal items clause

7. Personal Effects
I give my personal clothing, jewelry, household goods, and personal effects to my spouse, ALEX RIVERA. If my spouse does not survive me, I give these items in equal shares to my children, as they may agree among themselves.

These are small but meaningful examples of basic will form examples for married couples who want to keep the will simple while still honoring emotional priorities.

Example of a basic will form for married couples without children

Not every married couple has kids, and that changes the backup plan.

Scenario: Eric and Dana are married, have no children, and are close to their siblings and a charity.

Their will might look like this:

2. Gift to Spouse
I give all of my property to my spouse, DANA MILLER, if my spouse survives me.

3. Gifts if Spouse Does Not Survive
If my spouse does not survive me, I give my property as follows:
a. Fifty percent (50%) in equal shares to my siblings, MICHAEL LEE and NORA LEE, per stirpes; and
b. Fifty percent (50%) to THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, or its successor organization.

This is a clean example of basic will form language for married couples who want to support both family and a nonprofit.

If you’re considering charities, the IRS Exempt Organizations Select Check tool can help confirm a charity’s status: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/

How married couples usually sign and store basic wills

Even the best examples of basic will form examples for married couples won’t help if the documents aren’t signed correctly.

While each state’s rules differ, most require:

• The will to be in writing.
• The testator (the person making the will) to sign.
• Two witnesses who are adults and not major beneficiaries.

Some states also recognize self-proving affidavits, where you and your witnesses sign in front of a notary. This can make probate smoother later.

After signing, couples often:

• Keep the original in a fireproof box or safe place at home.
• Tell the named executor where it is.
• Avoid hiding it so well that nobody can find it.

For state-specific signing rules, many people check their state court or bar association websites; a useful starting point is USA.gov’s legal help page: https://www.usa.gov/legal-aid

When to move beyond a basic will form

All the examples of basic will form examples for married couples above assume relatively straightforward finances. You may need more than a simple form if:

• You own a business.
• You have significant assets in multiple states or countries.
• You expect family conflict over inheritance.
• You want to leave detailed conditions on gifts.
• You have a child with special needs who receives government benefits.

In those situations, a basic will is still helpful, but it should be paired with advice from an estate planning attorney and possibly trusts, beneficiary designations, or other tools.

FAQ: Short answers with real-world examples

Q: Can you give more examples of what a married couple should definitely include in a basic will form?
Yes. Most married couples should at least include: an executor, a main beneficiary (usually the spouse), backups (children, relatives, or charities), guardians for minor kids, and instructions for personal items. The earlier scenarios — like Jordan and Casey’s “everything to spouse, then kids,” or Priya and Alex’s guardianship clause — are classic examples of what typically appears in a basic will form.

Q: Is a handwritten will a valid example of a basic will form for married couples?
Sometimes. A handwritten (holographic) will is allowed in a few states if it meets strict rules, but it’s easy to make mistakes. Even if you use a handwritten format, you can borrow language from the examples of basic will form examples for married couples above to make your wishes clearer, then have a lawyer review it if possible.

Q: Do both spouses need to sign the same document?
No. In most places, each spouse signs their own separate will. The wills can mirror each other, but they are two documents. The real examples in this guide assume that each spouse has an individual will, even if the content is nearly identical.

Q: Are online templates good examples of basic will form examples for married couples?
Some are decent starting points, especially if they are state-specific and kept up to date. The best examples are usually simple, clear, and let you customize key areas like guardianship and backup beneficiaries. Always make sure any online form follows your state’s signing and witnessing rules.

Q: If everything is jointly owned, do we still need a will?
Very often, yes. Joint ownership and beneficiary designations may cover many assets, but not all. Personal items, refunds, legal claims, or assets in only one spouse’s name may still need a will to pass smoothly. Even in simple cases, the examples of basic will form examples for married couples in this article show how a short document can fill in the gaps.

Seeing real wording and realistic scenarios tends to unlock the process for people. Pick the examples that feel closest to your life, adjust them in plain English, and then run them past a qualified attorney or a reputable state-specific resource. That way, your will isn’t just a form — it’s a clear, signed roadmap for the people you love.