Practical examples of self-proving will format examples

Starting with real examples of self-proving will format examples

Lawyers love to start with definitions. Let’s not. If you’re here, you want to see what this thing looks like on paper.

Below is a very stripped‑down example of a self‑proving clause you might see at the end of a will in a U.S. state that follows the Uniform Probate Code style language:

Self‑Proving Affidavit – Basic Example
We, the undersigned, being the Testator and the witnesses to the Last Will and Testament of [Testator Name], hereby certify that on this ___ day of __________, 20___, [Testator Name], the Testator, signed and executed this instrument as the Testator’s Last Will and Testament, and that the Testator signed willingly, and that each of us, in the presence of the Testator and of each other, and at the request of the Testator, signs this affidavit as a witness. We further certify that the Testator is over 18 years of age, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.

---

[Testator Name], Testator

---

[Witness #1 Name], Witness

---

[Witness #2 Name], Witness

Subscribed and sworn to before me on this ___ day of __________, 20___, by [Testator Name], the Testator, and [Witness #1 Name] and [Witness #2 Name], witnesses.

---

Notary Public

That’s the general flavor. Different states tweak the wording, but most examples of self‑proving will format examples follow this structure: a short sworn statement, signatures of testator and witnesses, and a notary acknowledgment.

Common elements you’ll see in the best examples of self‑proving will format examples

When you compare real examples across states, you notice the same pieces showing up again and again. Good drafting isn’t about fancy language; it’s about hitting all the required points so a probate judge doesn’t have to guess.

Most strong examples of self‑proving will format examples include language that clearly covers:

• Identity of the testator and witnesses
• Date of execution
• Statement of capacity (over 18, of sound mind)
• Voluntariness (no duress or undue influence)
• Execution formalities (signed in each other’s presence)
• Oath or affirmation before a notary

If any of those are missing, the will itself might still be valid, but the “self‑proving” shortcut can fall apart.

For comparison, you can look at sample statutory forms in state codes, like:

• The Uniform Probate Code’s sample self‑proving clause, adopted in various forms by multiple states: Uniform Probate Code text via Uniform Law Commission
• A typical state statute pattern, such as Texas Estates Code § 251.1045 (self‑proving will form) on Texas Legislature Online

Use those official models as guardrails, and use the examples below to understand how they play out in real‑world drafting.

Short, simple example of a self‑proving will format for a single person

Imagine a 32‑year‑old single software engineer with no kids, modest savings, and one condo. She wants a straightforward will, but she doesn’t want her parents dragged into court later to confirm her signature.

Her self‑proving section might look like this:

Self‑Proving Affidavit
STATE OF __________
COUNTY OF __________

Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared [Testator Name], [Witness #1 Name], and [Witness #2 Name], known to me to be the Testator and the witnesses, respectively, whose names are signed to the attached or foregoing instrument, and, all being duly sworn, [Testator Name], the Testator, declared to me and to the witnesses that the instrument is the Testator’s Last Will and Testament, and that the Testator had willingly signed or directed another to sign for the Testator, and that the Testator executed it as a free and voluntary act for the purposes expressed in the will; and each of the witnesses stated to me that they signed the will as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other.

---

[Testator Name], Testator

---

[Witness #1 Name], Witness

---

[Witness #2 Name], Witness

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me by [Testator Name], the Testator, and by [Witness #1 Name] and [Witness #2 Name], witnesses, this ___ day of __________, 20___.

---

Notary Public, State of __________

This is the kind of example of a self‑proving will format that works well in many U.S. states with two‑witness requirements. It’s compact, but it hits the key statutory points.

Example of self‑proving will format examples for a married couple with kids

Now picture a married couple with two young children, a house, and life insurance. They sign separate wills (very common in the U.S.), but they sign them at the same appointment with the same witnesses and notary.

Their self‑proving language might be nearly identical to the simple example above, but with more explicit capacity language:

Self‑Proving Affidavit – Married Testator
STATE OF __________
COUNTY OF __________

Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared [Testator Name], being of lawful age, sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence, and [Witness #1 Name] and [Witness #2 Name], all known to me, who, being first duly sworn, on their oaths stated:

1. That [Testator Name] declared the attached instrument to be the Testator’s Last Will and Testament and signed it in our presence on the date stated therein.
2. That we, in the Testator’s presence and in the presence of each other, signed our names as witnesses.
3. That the Testator appeared to be of sound mind and acting voluntarily.

---

[Testator Name], Testator

---

[Witness #1 Name], Witness

---

[Witness #2 Name], Witness

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this ___ day of __________, 20___.

---

Notary Public

This is one of the best examples of self‑proving will format examples to study because it shows how lawyers quietly bake in statutory phrases like “sound mind” and “no constraint” to satisfy later probate scrutiny.

Example of a self‑proving will format with a testamentary trust for minor children

When a will creates a trust for minor children, the self‑proving language does not have to mention the trust at all. The affidavit is about the way the will was signed, not the content.

Still, in practice, lawyers sometimes add slightly more formality when the estate plan is complex. A real‑world style example of a self‑proving will format for a parent creating a children’s trust might read:

Self‑Proving Affidavit – Will with Children’s Trust
STATE OF __________
COUNTY OF __________

We, [Testator Name], the Testator, and [Witness #1 Name] and [Witness #2 Name], the witnesses, whose names are signed to the attached instrument, being duly sworn, do hereby declare to the undersigned authority that the Testator signed and executed the instrument as the Testator’s Last Will and Testament, which includes provisions for the disposition of the Testator’s property and the care of the Testator’s minor children; that the Testator signed willingly in our presence; that each of us, in the presence of the Testator and of each other, signed as witnesses; and that the Testator was at that time over 18 years of age, of sound mind, and not acting under duress, fraud, or undue influence.

---

[Testator Name], Testator

---

[Witness #1 Name], Witness

---

[Witness #2 Name], Witness

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me on this ___ day of __________, 20___, by [Testator Name], [Witness #1 Name], and [Witness #2 Name].

---

Notary Public

Notice how this example of a self‑proving will format briefly references the children and property, but still keeps the focus on execution formalities. That’s what matters in court.

State‑specific examples of self‑proving will format examples

Here’s where things get more concrete. States publish their own statutory forms, and those are the gold standard examples of self‑proving will format examples for that jurisdiction.

A few patterns you’ll see:

Uniform Probate Code style (adopted in many states)

The Uniform Probate Code includes model self‑proving language that several states either copy or closely track. You can see the official text via the Uniform Law Commission:
https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?CommunityKey=0f25ccb8-43ce-4df8-bb85-9eab518d029d

That model typically uses wording like:

“The Testator acknowledged this instrument to be the Testator’s will and signed it willingly, and each of us, in the Testator’s presence and in the presence of each other, signs this affidavit as a witness.”

If your state is a UPC state, your lawyer’s examples will usually be very close to that.

Example: Texas statutory self‑proving form

Texas publishes a statutory form in the Estates Code. The official text is available through Texas Legislature Online. The language is more detailed and includes explicit “under penalty of perjury” phrasing.

A paraphrased example of a self‑proving will format from Texas looks like this (simplified for clarity):

Self‑Proving Affidavit – Texas Style (Simplified)
Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared [Testator Name], and [Witness #1 Name] and [Witness #2 Name], witnesses, and all being known to me, and being by me duly sworn, [Testator Name], the Testator, declared to me and to the witnesses that the instrument is the Testator’s Last Will and Testament and that the Testator had willingly made and executed it, and that the Testator executed it as a free and voluntary act for the purposes expressed in the will; and the witnesses declared to me that they had signed the will as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other.

[Signatures and notary block]

When you’re looking for the best examples of self‑proving will format examples for your situation, always compare what you find online to your state’s actual statute. The statutory form wins every time in a dispute.

Example: Florida and other high‑litigation states

States like Florida, where probate litigation is common and large retiree populations sign a lot of wills, often have very precise statutory language. Florida’s statutes (available at Online Sunshine) specify both witness rules and self‑proving options.

A Florida‑style example generally insists on:

• Clear statement that the testator signed or directed someone to sign
• Confirmation that witnesses signed in presence of the testator and each other
• Notary acknowledgment that all parties appeared and were sworn

Again, the exact text is in the statute, but the pattern mirrors the other examples of self‑proving will format examples you’ve seen here.

Modern trends (2024–2025): Remote notarization and electronic wills

Here’s where things get interesting. Since 2020, a wave of states have adopted remote online notarization (RON) and some have authorized electronic wills. That directly affects how self‑proving affidavits look and how they’re executed.

Recent trends you should be aware of:

• Remote notarization: In states that allow RON, the notary block may include extra language about remote appearance, audio‑visual communication, and identity verification. The format of the self‑proving clause is similar, but the notary certificate expands.
• Electronic wills: A handful of states now allow wills to be signed and stored electronically, sometimes with remote witnesses. The self‑proving affidavit may be built into the electronic platform, but the same core elements you see in traditional examples still apply.
• Hybrid signings: Some lawyers now run signings where the testator and witnesses are physically together, but the notary appears remotely. The affidavit language stays familiar, but the notary’s portion references remote notarization statutes.

The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks these developments and is a good starting point to see if your state allows remote notarization or electronic wills:
https://www.ncsl.org

When you look at newer examples of self‑proving will format examples from 2024–2025, expect more technical detail in the notary sections, especially around remote appearance and identity checks.

Practical drafting tips drawn from real examples

After reviewing many real‑world examples of self‑proving will format examples, a few practical lessons stand out:

• Match the statute: If your state publishes a statutory example of a self‑proving will format, use it or track it very closely. Courts recognize that language instantly.
• Keep the affidavit attached: The self‑proving affidavit should be physically attached to the will (or clearly integrated in an electronic will). Loose pages invite challenges.
• Use the right number of witnesses: Some states require two witnesses, others allow one in limited contexts. Your affidavit should mirror the actual number present.
• Avoid interested witnesses: If a beneficiary signs as a witness, it can cause problems. The examples you see from careful estate planners always use disinterested witnesses.
• Don’t improvise the notary block: The notary section is where remote notarization, venue, and commission details live. Copy from a trusted, state‑specific example or from your notary’s standard form.

If you want to sanity‑check the legal basics of wills, the American Bar Association has a plain‑language overview of estate planning concepts:
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/

FAQ: examples of self‑proving will format examples and common questions

Q: Can you give another quick example of a self‑proving will format for a very short will?
Yes. For a two‑page will leaving everything to one person, a bare‑bones example of a self‑proving will format might say:

“The Testator declared this instrument to be the Testator’s Last Will and Testament and signed it in our presence, and we, at the Testator’s request and in the Testator’s presence and in the presence of each other, sign our names as witnesses, and all of us appeared to be over 18, of sound mind, and acting voluntarily."
[Signatures of testator, witnesses, notary acknowledgment]

Short, but it still reflects the patterns you see in longer examples of self‑proving will format examples.

Q: Do I need a self‑proving affidavit for my will to be valid?
Not necessarily. In most U.S. states, a will can be valid without being self‑proved. The difference is procedural: without the affidavit, your witnesses may need to testify in probate. With it, the court can usually accept the will without further proof.

Q: Are online templates for self‑proving wills safe to use?
They’re hit‑or‑miss. Some online services track state statutes carefully; others offer generic language that may not match your state’s law in 2024–2025. Always compare any template to a statutory example of a self‑proving will format from your state code, or have a local attorney review it.

Q: Can I add a self‑proving affidavit later if my will is already signed?
In some states, yes. You can execute a separate self‑proving affidavit later with the same formalities (testator, witnesses, notary). In others, it’s better to re‑execute the will with a built‑in self‑proving clause. This is very state‑specific, so it’s worth a brief conversation with a probate lawyer.

Q: What’s the difference between notarizing a will and having a self‑proving will?
Notarizing just the testator’s signature doesn’t automatically make a will self‑proving. A true self‑proving will uses a specific affidavit where the testator and the witnesses swear to the circumstances of signing. That’s why the best examples of self‑proving will format examples always show all three signatures (testator, witnesses, notary) in the affidavit.

Bottom line: if you’re comparing examples of self‑proving will format examples online, treat them as models, not plug‑and‑play forms. The safest move is to start with your state’s statutory text, then use examples like the ones above to understand what each line is doing and to talk intelligently with your attorney or notary about getting it right.