An executor (sometimes called a “personal representative”) is the person who is responsible for overseeing the administration of your estate. They will pay off your debts through your estate and distribute your assets according to your will’s instructions. This happens through a court-supervised process called probate. You should choose someone you trust as your executor, like a spouse, adult child, or sibling for this role.

Your beneficiaries are the individuals or entities you choose to receive your property after your death. These may be people, like close loved ones or friends. Or you may choose to leave property to a charitable organization or a trust. Leaving money to a trust can be a good way to provide for a minor child. With a trust, you can name a trustee to manage your children’s finances on their behalf. You can even leave money to provide for the care of animals through a pet trust.

A comprehensive list of your assets will help your executor distribute your property according to your instructions. When listing your assets, you should include all of your real property and personal property. Real property refers to real estate like homes, investment properties, and land. Personal property covers your other possessions, including vehicles, jewelry, heirlooms, furniture, and any other property. If you would like to leave specific possessions to certain people, you should make this clear in your will.

Not all property can be transferred through a will. If you have a life insurance policy, annuities, trusts, or retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, they will pass directly to the beneficiaries. If you own property jointly with the right of survivorship, the property will pass automatically to your joint owner. You cannot change these designations through your will. But you should make a list of these properties to help your executor manage their distribution.

When your estate goes into probate, your creditors can make claims for payments out of the value of the estate. To help your executor handle these claims, you can make a list of your debts. Be sure to include any credit card balances, mortgages, loans, outstanding taxes, and other obligations.

For parents of minor children, one of the most important aspects of a will can be naming guardians for your children. This way, you know that if anything were to happen to you and your children’s other parent, your children will be cared for by a guardian of your choice. Make sure to choose a guardian who is trustworthy and willing to take on this responsibility. Choosing an appropriate guardian will help to avoid family conflict and court proceedings regarding your choice.

You should sign your will in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries to your will. The witnesses should also sign your will in your presence. Make sure to choose witnesses who do not stand to gain anything from your will (disinterested witnesses). If your beneficiaries witness your will, their inheritance might be voided under Connecticut law. If you would like to create a self-proving will, you will need to ask your witnesses to swear to a self-proving affidavit in front of a notary public.

After you have signed your will, you should give a copy to your executor and attorney (if you have one). You should also make sure to let your loved ones know that you have executed a will. It’s a good idea to keep a copy of your will in a safe place that a trusted person can access. For many people, a good option is to keep their will in a locked safe that they share with a loved one.