A self-proving will is a legal document that not only outlines a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their estate upon death but also includes a provision that allows it to be validated without the need for witnesses to testify in court. Incorporating charitable donations into a self-proving will can ensure that your philanthropic desires are met after your passing while streamlining the probate process. Below are three diverse examples of self-proving wills that include charitable donations, illustrating how these documents can be structured.
In this case, a retired teacher wishes to leave a portion of her estate to support local educational programs. By creating a self-proving will, she ensures that her charitable intentions are clear and legally binding.
The testator, Jane Doe, declares her wishes in the self-proving will, detailing how she wants 10% of her total estate to be allocated to the Local School District Foundation.
Last Will and Testament of Jane Doe
I, Jane Doe, a resident of Springfield County, State of Illinois, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.
1. I direct that my debts and funeral expenses be paid first.
2. I bequeath 10% of my estate to the Local School District Foundation, to be used for educational resources and scholarships.
3. I appoint John Smith as my executor, and I grant him full authority to manage my estate in accordance with this will.
In witness whereof, I have signed this will on the 1st day of April, 2023.
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Jane Doe
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Self-Proving Affidavit:
State of Illinois
County of Springfield
We, the undersigned, do hereby declare that Jane Doe, the testator, signed this will in our presence, and we witnessed her signature.
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Witness 1: Mary Johnson
Witness 2: Robert Brown
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Notes: In this example, the self-proving affidavit allows the estate to be settled without the witnesses needing to appear in court. This is particularly useful for simplifying the probate process.
This example involves a passionate animal lover who wishes to leave a significant portion of their estate to an animal shelter. This self-proving will demonstrates how to structure such a bequest while ensuring the will is self-proving.
The testator, Michael Green, specifies that 50% of his estate is to be donated to the Happy Paws Animal Shelter.
Last Will and Testament of Michael Green
I, Michael Green, a resident of Blue River County, State of Washington, being of sound mind, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.
1. I direct the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses.
2. I bequeath 50% of my estate to Happy Paws Animal Shelter for the care and support of abandoned animals.
3. I nominate Sarah White as my executor, with full authority to carry out my wishes as expressed herein.
In witness whereof, I have signed this will on the 15th day of May, 2023.
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Michael Green
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Self-Proving Affidavit:
State of Washington
County of Blue River
We, the undersigned, declare that Michael Green, the testator, signed this will in our presence and we witnessed his signature.
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Witness 1: Laura Adams
Witness 2: Steven Jones
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Notes: This structure enables Michael’s wishes to be fulfilled without subjecting the will to lengthy probate procedures, thus facilitating a quicker transfer of funds to the animal shelter.
In this scenario, a healthcare professional decides to allocate funds from their estate to a local hospital’s research fund. This self-proving will assures that the healthcare contributions are honored without complications.
The testator, Emily Taylor, includes a provision to leave 20% of her estate to the City Hospital Research Fund.
Last Will and Testament of Emily Taylor
I, Emily Taylor, a resident of River Valley, State of Oregon, being of sound mind, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.
1. I instruct that all debts and funeral expenses be settled.
2. I bequeath 20% of my estate to the City Hospital Research Fund to further medical research initiatives.
3. I appoint David Lee as my executor, with authority to execute my wishes as outlined in this document.
In witness whereof, I have signed this will on the 10th day of September, 2023.
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Emily Taylor
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Self-Proving Affidavit:
State of Oregon
County of River Valley
We, the undersigned, affirm that Emily Taylor, the testator, signed this will in our presence, and we witnessed her signature.
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Witness 1: Karen White
Witness 2: Alan Smith
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Notes: This example emphasizes the importance of clarity in charitable intentions and the benefits of a self-proving will in expediting the process of distributing funds to support healthcare initiatives.