The following is a general guide for will creation, which is an important step in financial planning. It is best to go through these steps with an estate planner who can guide you, clarify them, and provide further insight relevent to your situation.

1) The first thing you need is a list of assets that you intend to include in your will. While this could be a general list, it is best to be as specific as possible. An estate planning lawyer can go over this list with you to make sure that you have not forgotten anything, and to discuss ways of dealing with some assets outside of the will.

2)You must then make a list of people you wish to inherit your assets. This can be quite complicated, especially if you plan on disinheriting any family members, so you should discuss the best way to do this with an experienced estate law attorney, so that the will you create cannot be contested and you wishes are carried out. Also, you will want to include a list of alternate beneficiaries, in the event that your first choices do not survive you.

3)You will need to select someone to serve as the executor of your estate, who will carry out the terms of your will. This person must be willing to serve in this function and should be someone that you trust.

4)If you have minor children, then you also need to select a guardian for your children. This person or persons will raise them if neither parent can. Again, this person must be willing to serve.

5) If you have minor children who are inheriting property, you need to select a person to manage the assets that they inherit until they reach the age of majority. There are several titles that you can give this person; they include: a property guardian, a property custodian, or a trustee. This person should be aware that they are going to serve in this capacity and should be someone you trust.

6) When you will is completed, it needs to be signed in front of two witnesses who are not inheriting anything in the will.