Drafting a will is the best way to ensure that your assets are distributed as you wish after your death. A will is a very important and formal document that must be more than a mere piece of paper. If you take the time to consider how you would like your assets distributed, it is important to make sure that the will you have executed is valid and enforceable. Although each state has varying requirements for what is necessary to make a valid will, there are several basic parts of a will that are required by most states.
First, identify yourself. While this may seem basic, it is critical that the will state clearly the name of the testator up front so that there is no question as to whose assets are being dealt with in the document. It is also a good idea to state the county and state of residence as this may affect the law applied when the will is being executed.