What a will does
A will does three main jobs. It directs how your property is distributed. It names a personal representative — the person responsible for gathering your assets, paying final debts, and delivering what is left to the people you chose. And if you have minor children, it names the guardian who would raise them.
It is also the document that speaks for you when you no longer can. Families who end up arguing about what someone would have wanted are almost always families where nothing was written down. A will removes that argument.
What we cover in yours
- Distribution of propertySpecific gifts, and who receives the remainder of your estate.
- Personal representativeThe person who carries out your instructions — plus a backup.
- Guardian for minor childrenWho raises them, and who manages any money left for them.
- Contingent beneficiariesWhat happens if someone named in your will passes before you do.
- Pour-over provisionsIf you have a trust, language that routes anything left outside it back in.
- Personal property memorandumA separate, easily updated list for specific items and keepsakes.
What Oklahoma requires
To make a valid will in Oklahoma you generally must be at least eighteen and of sound mind, and the will must be signed by you and witnessed by two people who sign in your presence. Oklahoma also recognizes a holographic will — one written entirely in your own handwriting, dated, and signed — with no witnesses required.
Handwritten wills are valid, but they are the ones most often contested. The handwriting has to be proven, ambiguous wording has to be interpreted by a court, and anything the will fails to address falls back to the default statutes. Treat it as a stopgap, not a plan.
How the process works
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Free consultation
Tell us about your family, what you own, and who you want looked after. Half an hour is usually enough.
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Drafting
Matthew drafts the will personally, using your own words for anything that matters to you.
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Review
We read through it together and adjust until it is right.
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Signing
We arrange the witnesses and the notary and execute it properly, so it holds up when it is needed.
“Matt was very helpful and made the process of developing my estate plan very pleasant. I highly recommend Matt Riggin”
Common questions
Is a handwritten will valid in Oklahoma?
Yes, if it is written entirely in your own hand, dated, and signed. But it is also the version most likely to be challenged, because the handwriting has to be proven and unclear wording has to be interpreted by a court. It is a reasonable stopgap and a poor permanent plan.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes. A pour-over will catches anything you never got around to moving into the trust and directs it there. It is also where you name a guardian for minor children — a trust cannot do that.
Can I change my will later?
At any time, as long as you have capacity. Small changes can be made with a codicil; larger ones are usually cleaner as a new will. Do not write on the original — handwritten edits to a signed will can invalidate parts of it.
Where should I keep it?
Somewhere safe that your personal representative can actually get to. A safe deposit box that only you can open is a common and avoidable problem. We keep a copy and make sure you know exactly where the original lives.
What if I own property in another state?
Mention it at the consultation. Out-of-state real estate is one of the clearest reasons to consider a trust instead of relying on a will alone.