Wills

Sep 2, 2025

Author:
Preston Allex

Reading Time:
8 Min

How Long Does It Take to Make a Will? The Complete Guide from Draft to Valid Document

The idea of making a will can feel like a time-consuming and daunting legal task. You might imagine hours spent poring over complex legal documents or in lengthy meetings with an attorney. For many people, this perception is a major reason they put off making a will, leaving their family and legacy unprotected.

However, the reality is far more encouraging. Thanks to modern technology and accessible online platforms, creating a will today is faster and more straightforward than ever before. For a basic, legally sound will, the process can take as little as 30 minutes. The total time, of course, depends on a few key factors, but the journey to peace of mind is much shorter than you might think.

At Catholic Legacy, our mission is to demystify this process and make it accessible to everyone. We believe that securing your family's future and aligning your estate with your faith should be a simple, not a stressful, experience. Our free, self-guided platform is designed to make this essential task as efficient as possible.

Stage 1 | The Initial Draft (Thinking and Typing)

This stage is where you save the most time. Instead of lengthy consultations, a self-guided online form walks you through the necessary steps.

Information Gathering

Before you begin, you'll need to have a clear idea of your major assets (remembering that some, like joint bank accounts and retirement plans, are typically not controlled by a will), who your beneficiaries will be, and who you'll choose as your executor.

Drafting the Document

Once you have your information, our platform's self-guided form generates a customized, legally compliant document in under 30 minutes.

This stage is designed for efficiency, ensuring the document is both user-friendly and legally sound.

Stage 2 | Final Review and Legal Execution (Signing)

A will isn't valid until it's properly executed. This stage requires careful attention to detail but is a swift process.

Reviewing Your Will: Read your document carefully to ensure it accurately reflects your wishes.
The Signing Procedure: For your Will to be legally binding, you and all parties must be present at the same time and witness each other sign. This includes:

You (the Testator): Initial each page and provide two signatures (one on the signature page, one on the Self-Proving Affidavit).
Two Witnesses: They must be over 18, of sound mind, and not beneficiaries in your Will.
A Notary Public: Essential for notarizing the Self-Proving Affidavit.

Signing your Will in the presence of witnesses and a notary is a critical legal safeguard. The witnesses act as impartial observers who can later attest that you were of sound mind, acted voluntarily, and were not under any duress when you signed the document. Their testimony helps prevent challenges based on fraud or coercion. The notary's role is to verify the identities of all parties and notarize a "self-proving affidavit," which can significantly streamline the probate process for your loved ones by making it easier for the court to accept the Will as authentic.

Stage 3 | Safeguarding and Updating (Protecting)

Once signed, your final steps ensure the Will is protected and relevant.

Store Securely: Keep the original signed and notarized copy in a safe place, like a fireproof container. Avoid damaging the document; tears or markings could be seen as modifications.
Notify Parties: Inform your executors about their role and where the Will is stored. You can securely share a copy with them for their awareness.
Keep It Updated: A will isn't a one-and-done document. Life changes require updates. We recommend reviewing your Will every five to seven years. You can make unlimited updates for free. If you make a change, you must repeat the full signing procedure with the new document.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a valid Will is not a task to be feared, but a profound and loving act. While the thought may feel overwhelming, the process is surprisingly fast. You set a clear plan in motion by dedicating just a small amount of time to this essential task.

The first stage, drafting, is about thoughtful decision-making. The second, executing, is a straightforward legal formality that protects your wishes. The final stage, safeguarding, ensures your document is secure and your loved ones know where to find it.

This simple three-step journey is how you guarantee that your family is protected, from naming a guardian for your children to ensuring your assets are distributed exactly as you intended. It is how you preserve your legacy, including charitable giving and support for your Catholic faith. Most importantly, it is how you provide yourself with immense peace of mind.

This peace of mind is a true gift to yourself and your family. It's the knowledge that your loved ones won't be burdened with difficult decisions or legal disputes in a time of grief. Instead, they can focus on celebrating your life, guided by the clear and loving instructions you left behind.

FAQs

A self-proving affidavit is an optional, notarized statement attached to your Will. It certifies that the Will was signed and witnessed correctly. While not always required to make a Will valid, it can significantly simplify the probate process by helping the court accept the Will without needing to track down the original witnesses years later.

Yes, an executor can be a beneficiary. The executor's role is to manage the estate, and they can also receive a bequest. This is a common practice, but it's important to choose someone trustworthy who will handle their duties impartially and responsibly.

Reviewing your Will every five to seven years is generally recommended to ensure it reflects your wishes. However, a regular review is a good practice to ensure your document remains current and valid. Keeping your Will updated prevents unintended exclusions and ensures your legacy is protected for the long term.

Major life events are a strong signal that an update is necessary. These include changes in your marital status (marriage, divorce), the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in your financial situation (acquiring or selling assets), or if an executor or beneficiary passes away or is no longer suitable for their role. Updating your Will after such events is crucial to ensure your final wishes are accurately represented.

You cannot manually change a signed Will. The safest and clearest way to update your wishes is to create a new Will that explicitly revokes all previous versions. Once you have a new document, you must destroy all old copies and repeat the full signing procedure, including witnesses and a notary, to make it legally valid. For minor changes, you could use a codicil, but a new Will is generally recommended to prevent any confusion.

It is crucial to destroy all copies of your old Will after you have a new, properly signed and notarized one. You can physically destroy the document by tearing it up, shredding it, or drawing a large "X" over all the pages. This is a vital step to prevent any confusion or disputes after your passing, as the existence of an old, signed Will could lead to costly and time-consuming legal challenges in probate court.

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