LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

of
[TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME]

[Effective Date: [DATE]]
[Jurisdiction: State of Connecticut]

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted to satisfy Connecticut statutory requirements, principally Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-250 et seq. (capacity & execution) and § 45a-285 (self-proving affidavits). Tailor bracketed provisions and optional clauses to the client’s facts. Strike any inapplicable sections before execution.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Operative Provisions
IV. Representations & Warranties
V. Covenants & Restrictions
VI. Default & Remedies
VII. Risk Allocation
VIII. Dispute Resolution
IX. General Provisions
X. Execution Block

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1.1 Identification of Testator
I, [TESTATOR FULL LEGAL NAME], presently residing at [ADDRESS], being of legal age (at least 18) and of sound mind and memory, hereby declare this instrument to be my Last Will and Testament (the “Will”), revoking all prior wills and codicils.

1.2 Recitals
(a) I am executing this Will voluntarily and free from undue influence.
(b) This Will is intended to dispose of all property over which I have testamentary power at death.
(c) This Will shall be governed by the substantive probate law of the State of Connecticut.

II. DEFINITIONS

For ease of reference, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:

“Beneficiary” means any person or entity receiving property under this Will.
“Child” or “Children” means my biological or legally adopted descendants, whether now living or hereafter born or adopted.
“Executor” means the Personal Representative appointed under Section III.3.
“Residuary Estate” means all property passing under this Will that is not otherwise effectively disposed of by specific or general bequests.
“Testamentary Trust” means any trust created under this Will.
“Will Contest” has the meaning set forth in Section VI.1(a).

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Payment of Debts, Expenses, and Taxes
(a) I direct my Executor to pay, out of my estate, all enforceable debts, funeral expenses, estate administration expenses, and estate or inheritance taxes attributable to property passing under this Will or outside of it, except as otherwise expressly provided.
(b) Such payments shall be made without apportionment against any Beneficiary, unless a contrary federal or state law mandates apportionment.

3.2 Specific Bequests
(a) Tangible Personal Property. I bequeath my tangible personal property as set forth on any duly-executed memorandum referenced herein or, lacking such memorandum, to [BENEFICIARY NAME OR “my Children in equal shares”].
(b) Cash or Pecuniary Gifts. I bequeath [AMOUNT] dollars to [BENEFICIARY NAME].
(c) Real Property. I devise my interest in the real property located at [ADDRESS / LEGAL DESCRIPTION] to [BENEFICIARY NAME], subject to any mortgages, liens, or encumbrances.

3.3 Residuary Estate
I devise the Residuary Estate to [PRIMARY RESIDUARY BENEFICIARY]. If such Beneficiary does not survive me, the Residuary Estate shall pass to [CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY] per stirpes.

3.4 Appointment of Executor
(a) I nominate [EXECUTOR NAME] of [CITY, STATE] as Executor of this Will. If [HE/SHE/THEY] fails or ceases to serve, I nominate [ALTERNATE EXECUTOR NAME] as successor.
(b) Bond. No Executor shall be required to furnish bond or security, unless demanded by a court of competent jurisdiction.

3.5 Guardianship of Minor Children
If at my death I am the parent of a minor Child, I nominate [GUARDIAN NAME] as guardian of the person and estate of such Child, with [ALTERNATE GUARDIAN NAME] as successor.

3.6 Creation of Testamentary Trusts [Optional]
[Insert spendthrift trust or minor’s trust provisions as needed.]

IV. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Capacity & Title
(a) I warrant that, to the best of my knowledge, I possess full testamentary capacity.
(b) I warrant that all property devised herein is, at the time of execution, either owned by me or subject to a power of disposition vested in me.

4.2 No Undisclosed Obligations
I affirm that, to the best of my knowledge, no undisclosed marital, contractual, or court-ordered obligations prevent or restrict the dispositions made under this Will.

[// GUIDANCE: Representations establish a clear record for future probate but do not create post-mortem liabilities beyond the estate.]

V. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Cooperation Covenant
Each Beneficiary shall cooperate with the Executor to effectuate prompt settlement of the estate and shall execute any documents reasonably requested to transfer or confirm title.

5.2 Spendthrift Restriction
Except as otherwise required by law, no Beneficiary’s interest under this Will shall be subject to voluntary or involuntary transfer, assignment, or attachment prior to actual distribution.

VI. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Will Contest – In Terrorem Clause
(a) Definition. A “Will Contest” means any direct or indirect action to invalidate, set aside, or oppose the probate of this Will, other than a good-faith request for formal proof of execution.
(b) Consequence. Any Beneficiary who initiates or joins a Will Contest shall forfeit all interests under this Will and shall be deemed to have predeceased me, the forfeited share passing to the next taker in default.
(c) Enforcement. The Executor is authorized to withhold distributions pending resolution of any potential or actual Will Contest.

6.2 Attorneys’ Fees
In any proceeding concerning the construction or enforcement of this Will, the court may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs from the estate or the opposing party’s share, as justice and equity may require.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Executor Indemnification
The Executor (including any successor) shall be indemnified and held harmless out of the estate for any liability, expense, or loss (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by reason of good-faith acts or omissions in administering the estate, except for willful misconduct or gross negligence.

7.2 Limitation of Liability
All liabilities arising under or in connection with this Will are limited to, and enforceable only against, the assets comprising my probate estate at death; no Beneficiary or fiduciary shall have personal liability beyond such assets.

VIII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law
This Will, its validity, and all rights and duties hereunder shall be governed by the substantive probate law of the State of Connecticut without regard to conflict-of-laws principles.

8.2 Exclusive Forum
Exclusive jurisdiction and venue for all matters relating to the probate or construction of this Will shall lie in the appropriate Connecticut Probate Court having jurisdiction over my estate.

8.3 Jury Waiver
To the fullest extent permitted by law, all parties waive the right to a jury trial in any proceeding concerning this Will.

8.4 Injunctive Relief
The probate court may issue temporary or permanent injunctive relief to enforce Sections VI and VII or to prevent waste or dissipation of estate assets.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Severability
If any provision of this Will is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force, and the invalid provision shall be construed, to the extent possible, to effectuate my intent.

9.2 Headings
Headings are for convenience only and do not affect substantive meaning.

9.3 Gender & Number
Words of any gender include all genders; words in the singular include the plural and vice versa where context requires.

9.4 Integration
This document constitutes my entire Will. No extrinsic evidence may vary its unambiguous terms, except as permitted by applicable law.

X. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the date first written above.

[TESTATOR NAME], Testator

ATTESTATION CLAUSE (Two Witnesses Required – Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251)

We, the undersigned, certify that the Testator, in our joint presence, declared this instrument to be his/her/their Last Will and Testament, and signed or acknowledged the same; and that we, at the Testator’s request, in the Testator’s presence and in the presence of each other, now subscribe our names as attesting witnesses.

SELF-PROVING AFFIDAVIT (Optional – Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-285)

State of Connecticut )
County of ___ ) ss: _____ [Date]

We, [TESTATOR NAME], [WITNESS #1 NAME], and [WITNESS #2 NAME], being first duly sworn, do hereby declare to the undersigned authority that the Testator executed the foregoing Will; that the Testator signed (or acknowledged) the Will willingly; that each witness, in the presence of the Testator and of each other, signed the Will as witness; and that to the best of the witnesses’ knowledge the Testator was eighteen (18) years of age or older, of sound mind, and under no constraint or undue influence.

____ Testator
____ Witness #1
_____ Witness #2

Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me by the Testator and the witnesses this _ day of _, 20__.

Notary Public [Seal]
My Commission Expires: ____

[// GUIDANCE: Attach a separate tangible personal property memorandum if utilized; confirm guardianship nominations comply with any existing court orders or marital settlement agreements. Review estate-tax apportionment and beneficiary designations to avoid unintended results.]