Choosing which assets you’d like to distribute to family, friends, and organizations after you die is an essential step in creating a will. You’ll want to make a list of all of the assets that you want to be distributed, including:

• Vehicles
• Real estate
• Bank accounts
• Businesses
• Stocks and bonds

Don’t forget to list any sentimental items you’d like particular people to receive from your estate. Things such as jewelry, antiques, or art can be listed as tangible personal property.

A beneficiary is an individual or organization that receives something from your estate. Many people choose their spouse and close relatives to be their beneficiaries, but you may also want to consider naming friends, neighbors, or even co-workers. You can also designate an organization, such as your favorite charity, as a beneficiary. Be sure to use the full legal names for individuals and properly identify any organizations you wish to receive something in your will.

If you have minor children or adult incapacitated children, it is important to think about who would take care of them when you die. A guardian is a person responsible for making decisions for your dependents and taking care of them. Choose someone you trust to serve as a guardian, and also choose an alternate guardian. The alternate guardian can fulfill this role if the first person you chose as a guardian is unable to do so.

You should name someone to be the executor of your estate in your will. The executor will be responsible for handling your debts and distributing the remainder of your assets to the beneficiaries of your estate.

In addition to choosing an executor, it’s a good idea to choose an alternate executor. This is helpful in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to fulfill the role.

Each state has its own requirements for the proper execution of a will. If you don’t meet the requirements of your state, your will could be considered invalid.

In Nevada, the person making the will must be of sound mind and at least 18 years old. The person making the will is referred to as the testator.

In addition to requirements for the testator, there are requirements regarding the signing of the will. Under Nevada Revised Statutes 133.040, a Nevada will must be:

• In writing
• Signed by the testator (or by someone else at the testator’s direction)
• Signed by two competent witnesses

The two witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator. Notarization is not required to make the will valid, but you might want to get your will notarized to make things easier for your family. When a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths notarizes a will, it becomes self-proving. A self-proving will may be accepted by the court without witness testimony. If your will is not self-proving, a court may require that the witnesses come forward to testify, making the probate process longer.

Nevada, unlike some other states, allows holographic wills. A holographic will is a handwritten will that doesn’t have to be signed by witnesses.

It’s important that you store your last will and testament in a safe and accessible place. Many people think that placing their will in a safe deposit box is a good idea, but it actually could be problematic. If you are the only person with access to your safe deposit box, your family members could have trouble gaining access to your will when they need it. Your executor might have to get a court to allow them to access the safe deposit box, causing unnecessary delay.

Consider storing your will in a home safe and letting your executor know how to access it. As needed, you can review your will and make any changes required as a result of life events. For example, if you have a child after making your will you might want to revise it.