Nebraska Last Will and Testament Template

Create your last will and testament forms easily from home and in under an hour with FindLaw’s guided process.

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Protect your family and property with a Nebraska will

If you die without a will in Nebraska, a probate court determines how to distribute your property and who will care for your minor children. The court’s decisions might not align with your preferences. With a Nebraska will, you take control of these decisions. Additionally, a will speeds up the probate process, saving your family time and money.

Make sure your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone by downloading the free Nebraska last will and testament template in PDF. This template is easy to use and can be saved.

With FindLaw, you can easily create a will. Click on the links below to jump down the page:

Last updated: January 25, 2022

Written by:

Catherine Hodder, Esq.

Senior Legal Writer

Reviewed by:

Tim Kelly, J.D.

Contributing Author

Choose the right option for a Nebraska will

Last Will and Testament
For One Person

A do-it-yourself last will that’s easy to personalize.

$79

What’s included:

Step-by-step guided process

Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws

A last will and testament that’s customized to your wishes

Free changes and revisions to your will for up to one full year after purchase

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BEST VALUE

Estate Planning Package
For One person

All the forms you need to create a personal estate plan

$135

What’s included:

Last will and testament

Health care directive

Power of attorney

Free HIPAA release form

A comprehensive plan — for less

Free changes and revisions for up to one year after purchase

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How It Works

It only takes minutes to control your future. Need help? Contact one of our directory attorneys.

Create an account

Create a secure account which is accessible through an easy dashboard you can access any time.

Gather information

You will need a list of your assets, contact information for important people, and any wishes you want to be honored when you’re gone.

Complete your documents

Answer all questions, then we’ll generate your digital documents for downloading, printing, and signing.

Make it legal

Carefully follow the instructions provided in the form, which may include signing your documents in front of witnesses or a notary.

How do I make my will in Nebraska?

Follow these steps for a DIY will:

List your property and assets

The first step is to determine what property you will give away in your will and what property transfers outside of your will. For example, TOD (transfer-on-death) designations on bank accounts pass outside of your will. Other assets that do not transfer through your will are:

Bank and investment accounts with transfer-on-death beneficiaries
IRA and retirement accounts with transfer-on-death beneficiaries
Real estate owned in joint tenancy

Examples of property or other assets that you distribute through your will are:

Real property in your name only
Cars, boats, or RV’s in your name only
Personal or household items and valuables

Name your beneficiaries

The second step is to decide who will inherit your property in the will. You can give someone a specific bequest or gift by listing the item and the beneficiary. If you want to make a charitable donation, you can do so in your will. If any beneficiary is under 18, you can instruct the personal representative to hold their share in a trust for them until they reach a specified age.

Choose a personal representative

Next, you will name someone to administer your estate. Your personal representative pays off your debts, distributes your assets according to your will, and files paperwork with the probate court. Choose someone you trust and can manage the responsibility.

Name a guardian for minor children

If you have children under 18, you will nominate a guardian to manage their care until they become an adult. The guardian takes care of your children’s support, education, healthcare, and maintenance.

Print and sign the document in front of witnesses.

Under Nebraska law, you must sign your will in front of two competent witnesses. At least one of your witnesses should be a “disinterested” witness, meaning a witness who will not receive anything from your will. Additionally, Nebraska allows you to complete a “self-proving affidavit” in which a notary signs a witness affidavit to prove the will’s validity.

You may want to speak with a lawyer if you:

Have a past divorce, blended family, or other complex family situation
Have a high-value estate
Own a business
Want to create a special needs trust
Want legal review of your completed will

Find a local estate planning lawyer

Ready to begin your Nebraska will?

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Nebraska last will and testament frequently asked questions

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Can I write my own will in Nebraska?

A lawyer is not required to draft a will in Nebraska. A valid will is your statement of wishes that conforms to your state laws. You can write your own will or follow FindLaw’s simplified interview process to create your will.

However, you may have particular questions about your will. In that case, you might engage a Nebraska estate planning lawyer to review your document. FindLaw is not a law firm, and the forms are not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.

Is a handwritten will legal in Nebraska?

Nebraska is one of the states that permit handwritten or “holographic” wills. A handwritten will is valid if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator’s handwriting. However, holographic wills are often subject to disputes. Creating a will through FindLaw’s easy step-by-step process and signing according to Nebraska requirements presents you with a more solid option than a holographic will.

What makes a will legal in Nebraska?

To make your will in Nebraska, you must have a “sound mind” and be at least 18 years old. Sound mind means the mental capacity to understand what property you own, who your heirs are, and what property you are giving away in your will. You must also sign your will in front of two competent witnesses.

Do you need a will in Nebraska?

If you do not have a will, you die “intestate.” Nebraska follows intestate laws to determine who will receive your property. If you have a spouse but no children, for example, your spouse gets the first one hundred thousand dollars, plus one-half of the balance of your estate. Your parents would receive the other one-half balance of your estate. Intestacy laws do not account for your wishes, so it is best to make a will. Additionally, a will speeds up the probate process, so your family saves time and money.

What other estate planning documents do I need in Nebraska?

A will is a critical piece of your estate plan. However, there are several other estate planning documents to help you during your lifetime. For example, if you face an extended illness or incapacity.

Suppose you are unable to manage your finances. In that case, a financial power of attorney authorizes your agent to manage your finances and your property. Or what if you cannot make healthcare decisions for yourself? A medical power of attorney allows you to name a health care attorney-in-fact to make your medical decisions.

Finally, an advance directive, called a Power of Attorney for Health Care in Nebraska, appoints a health care attorney-in-fact to handle your instructions for end-of-life care.

Want an attorney to review your will?

Contact an experienced estate planning lawyer near you.