A Last Will and Testament is one of the most important legal documents a person can create during his or her lifetime. If a person dies without a Will they are said to have died “intestate” and state laws will determine how and to whom the person’s assets will be distributed.

Low-cost do-it-yourself (D.I.Y.) Ohio wills are possible in some simple cases and can be found on our companion site, FindLaw.com.

If a person dies without a Will the beneficiaries can not dispute the court’s distribution of that person’s estate under the intestacy laws. Even if that person expressed different wishes verbally during their lifetime the statutes control the distribution. With a valid Will, a person can legally determine how their property will be distributed… and to whom.

A Will must meet the legal requirements set forth by the state in order for it to be valid. Most states will also accept a Will that was executed in another state if the document is a valid Will under that state’s law. The general requirements for a valid Will are usually as follows: (a) the document must be written (meaning typed or printed), (b) signed by the person making the Will (usually called the “testator” or “testatrix”, and (c) signed by two witnesses who were present to witness the execution of the document by the maker and who also witnessed each other sign the document.

In Ohio, the laws regarding the valid execution and witnessing of a Will are set forth in the Ohio Revised Code; Title 21 Courts- Probate- Juvenile; Chapter 2107: Wills, Sections 2107.02 through 2107.15.

In Ohio, any person eighteen (18) years of age, or a minor lawfully married, and of sound mind may make a Will. (See: Section 2107.02) “Sound mind” generally means someone who has not been deemed incompetent in a prior legal proceeding.

A Will must be in writing, signed by the testator and by two witnesses. If the testator cannot physically sign his name he may direct a witness or another party to do so. Each witness must sign the Will in the testator’s presence. (See: Section 2107.03)

No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall witness a Will. (See Section 2107.06) Generally, it is recommended that the witnesses to the Will be “disinterested”, which means that they are not a beneficiary of the Will. In Ohio a gift to a witness who is one of only two witnesses is void. An exception is if the interested witness would be entitled to an intestate share if the testator died without a Will. Then, the witness may take the gift up to the value of their intestate share. (See Section 2107.15)

Ohio does not currently allow a Will to be self-proven.