Skip to main content

New Jersey 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.

We back your form purchase with a 30-day guarantee

Get a New Jersey will to suit your needs

Last Will and Testament

For One Person

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

$99
What’s included:
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

BEST VALUE

Estate Planning Package

For One person

All the forms you need to create a personal estate plan

$189
What’s included:
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

Still not sure what estate planning tools you need?

Fast, easy, reliable New Jersey will forms

If you die without a will in New Jersey, your property will be distributed according to New Jersey’s default laws (“intestacy statutes“). These laws might not align with your preferences, especially if you have a blended family, an unmarried partner, family conflict, or other special circumstances. A will enables you to avoid these default rules. Through your will, you can choose for yourself who should receive your property and pick guardians for minor children, decide what age beneficiaries can access their inheritance, and safeguard your estate by explicitly disinheriting individuals you do not wish to inherit.

Protect your loved ones and your assets by downloading a free New Jersey last will and testament PDF template on this page. This template is easy to download and print at no cost to you.

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

Last updated: January 25, 2022

Kimberly_Lekman_image

Written by:

Kimberly Lekman, Esq.

Contributing Author

Tim_Kelly_image

Reviewed by:

Tim Kelly, J.D.

Contributing Author

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.

Free Download

Plan for your future with confidence

This free guide will help you:

  • Learn the most common estate planning terms

  • Understand the essential estate planning tools

  • Gather critical information with an estate planning checklist

Enter email field (Required)

What’s next to make my New Jersey will valid?

If you want a will, you can hire a lawyer or use a will form from a reliable source. If you use a form, follow these steps:

Choose an executor

Your executor should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes. Many people choose either a spouse, a child who is above the age of 18, or a friend. You should also choose an alternate executor in case your original executor becomes unable to perform this task.

List your beneficiaries and your assets

You should give the full names and addresses of your beneficiaries to help your executor locate them when the time comes. You should also provide a comprehensive list of your assets. Make sure to include both real property and personal property. Real property refers to real estate like houses, land, and investment properties. Personal property covers everything else you own, like cars, furniture, and personal possessions. If you want specific items to go to specific people, you should include these details in your will.

List your non-probate properties

Some properties cannot be allocated through a will. These include life insurance, retirement plans, trusts, and annuities. These properties should pass directly to the listed beneficiary. But by providing a list of these properties, you can help your executor handle their distribution.

List your debts

Providing a list of your debts can help streamline things for your executor. When your estate goes into probate, your creditors will be able to file a claim to receive payment out of the estate. Common debts include things like credit card debts, mortgages, personal loans, and more.

Sign your will

You should sign your will in the presence of two witnesses. To create a self-proving will, you should ask your witnesses to swear to an affidavit in the presence of a notary public.

Distribute your will

You should let your loved ones know that you have written a will. Give a copy to your executor and keep another copy or two in a secure place. Some people choose to keep a copy in a safe that a family member can access.

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 New Jersey will?

Create my will

Frequently asked questions about New Jersey wills

Show all | Hide all

To assure that a New Jersey probate court honors your last will and testament, you should sign it in the presence of two witnesses. Both witnesses should be at least 18 years of age and of sound mind.

You can find the laws on signing a will and witnesses in title 3B of the New Jersey Statutes. Although a beneficiary may legally be a witness to a will, it is a better idea to ask someone who is not named in your will. This will avoid the possible appearance that you were under duress or undue influence when you signed the will.

No, you don’t need a lawyer. Our process provides you with a New Jersey will without speaking with an attorney. But if you have a complicated situation or would like additional guidance, find and talk with an attorney who can help answer your questions. People who have children with special needs, a blended family, a high net worth, or other complicating factors often seek an attorney to review their will.

FindLaw is not a law firm, and the forms are not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney. Attorneys’ rates will vary, but the cost of a will usually depends on the complexity. For a basic will, a New Jersey lawyer will probably charge at least $300, and probably closer to $1,000. If your will needs to include provisions about your children, it will probably cost about $1,000 or more.

You will need a will and an executor even if you already have a financial power of attorney in place. A power of attorney is only valid while you are alive. It does not provide for distribution of your assets after your death. If you do not leave a last will and testament, your estate will be divided up according to New Jersey’s default laws. This is known as “intestate succession.”

To make your own choices about the distribution of your assets, you should create a valid will. With our process, a will only costs $59 and takes under an hour to create.

New Jersey law prevents spouses from disinheriting each other. In New Jersey, when someone dies, their spouse or domestic partner has the right to claim a third of their estate. So, even if your will does not leave anything to your spouse, they still have the right to claim one-third of what remains of your estate after the court deducts funeral and other costs.

Self-proving wills contain sworn affidavits by the witnesses testifying this is your true will. Self-proving wills are more easily accepted than regular wills by probate courts. The state of New Jersey does not require self-proving wills. But by going through this extra step, you can prevent your witnesses from having to testify in front of a probate court.

If you would like to create a self-proving will, you should ask your witnesses to swear to an affidavit in front of a notary public. You should store this document in a safe place alongside your will.

A last will and testament is a legal document that allows you to decide how your assets will be distributed after your death. A living will (sometimes known as an “advance health care directive”), on the other hand, is a legal document that you use to direct your health care wishes. You cannot use a living will to make choices about the distribution of your assets after your death.

If your circumstances have changed and you would like to make changes to your will, you can do so through a written amendment (a “codicil“). Codicils should be signed by witnesses just like the original will. If you want to do a major overhaul of your will, it is better to do so through an entirely new will. If you buy a will through our service, you can make changes to your will for a full year after purchase.

What our customers have to say

See why customers rely on us

  • Shane

    “I valued the easy-to-navigate layouts and the clean design of the forms. The price was the lowest I could find.”

  • Kat

    “FindLaw helps you fill in the blanks and produce a written doc per your state laws. All you need to do is sign and have it notarized. How easy!”

  • Paul

    “FindLaw’s website was extremely easy to navigate! It walks you through all the questions you need to answer – very simply. And the price point was excellent. Highly recommend!”

Want an attorney to review your will?

Contact an experienced estate planning lawyer near you.