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Will Writing Service in Wyoming

Written by

Annie L.

Reviewed & Facts Checked by: Patience P.
Will Writing Service in WY


A will is an essential aspect of planning for your future. The cost notwithstanding, adults in Wyoming should endeavor to write their wills, whether by themselves, hiring LegalPen, an online will-writing company, or hiring an estate planning attorney. This article provides considerations before choosing to write a will. 

How Much Does it Cost to Write a Will in Wyoming?

Writing a will in Wyoming costs an average of $300 to $1000. The cost varies depending on the attorney fees, the complexity of the estate, and the testator’s needs and wants. The attorney fees depend on the billing policies of the attorneys. 

Can I Write a Will Without a Lawyer in Wyoming?

Yes, you can write a lawyer without a lawyer in Wyoming. Lack of attorney fees should not hinder you from writing a will. Adults in Wyoming can write their wills, use the resources available online, or hire LegalPen, an online will-writing company. 

Yes, it is legal to write your own will in Wyoming. The will written by the testator themselves may be printed or handwritten. Typed wills must be printed and signed by the testator and witnessed by two credible witnesses. Handwritten wills must be written in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator. Handwritten wills do not need to be witnessed. 

Does a Will in Wyoming need to Notarized?

No, a will does not need to be notarized in Wyoming. However, a testator may choose to make their will self-proving. A will is “self-proving” if it uses proper language, is signed before a public notary, and is witnessed by at least two people. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Wyoming?

No, you do not need a lawyer to make a will in Wyoming. You can write the will yourself or hire LegalPen, an online will writing company to write a will for you. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Will in Wyoming?

No, you do not need a lawyer to file a will in Wyoming. A person who has custody of the decedent’s will can file the decedent’s will with the clerk of the district court in the county where the decedent lived within ten (10) days of the testator’s death. Additionally, the Personal Representative may file the will at the clerk of the district court in the county where the decedent lived. After receiving the will, the clerk of the court will notify the person named as Personal Representative, as well as the distributees named in the will who can be readily located. 

No, online wills are not legal in Wyoming. An online will is a will created through digital platforms such as online software and websites. However, you can make your will through digital means and print it for execution by the testator and witness by two competent witnesses. 

How to Include Digital Assets in a Wyoming Will

In 2019, Wyoming enacted the Wyoming Digital Asset Statutes, which recognize digital assets. The statute defines a digital asset as a representation of economic, proprietary, or access rights stored in a computer-readable format and either a digital consumer asset, digital security, or virtual currency.  Testators in Wyoming can include digital assets in their will; they should consist of the digital assets, their beneficiaries, and other additional information such as passwords and instructions on utilizing the digital assets. 

How to Disinherit Someone in a Wyoming Will

You can disinherit someone in your Wyoming will by failing to include them as a beneficiary or by expressly stating that you do not intend for them to be a beneficiary. However, please note that you cannot disinherit your children in Wyoming unless they renounce their rights to your estate through a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. 

 

When disinheriting someone under your will, you can include reasons for disinheriting them, such as an estranged relationship or the fact that they already have enough.

How to Handle Debts and Liabilities in a Wyoming Will

You can debts and liabilities in your Wyoming will by including a clause on debts and liabilities in your will. The clause will consist of a list of your debts and liabilities and the priority of payment of debts and liabilities. Including debts and liabilities will prevent unnecessary suits from your creditors. 

How to Provide for Minor Children in a Wyoming Will

You provide for minor children in a Wyoming will by choosing a guardian to care for your children upon demise. The guardian can be your sibling, parents, or close friends. The guardian should be able to care for your child’s health and welfare. After choosing a guardian, you allocate resources to facilitate the child’s care. 

How to Store Your Wyoming Will Safely

You may store your will yourself or store it with your lawyer. When you choose to store the will yourself, you should ensure it is safe from disasters like floods, fire, snoops, and thieves. When you store the will yourself, you should ensure at least one person knows where you have stored it so they can file it upon your demise. Additionally, you may store your will at the local probate court for safekeeping. 

How to Contest a Will in Wyoming

You can contest your will in Wyoming by filing a written objection to the probate court stating the reasons for contesting the will and asking the court to revoke the probate. The grounds for contesting a will in Wyoming are: the testator is not mentally competent, the testator was under undue influence, the will was improperly executed, the will is fraudulent because it is based on false information,  and there is a more recent version of the will. 

 

In Wyoming, a will can be contested by an interested party with an immediate and direct financial interest in the deceased’s estate. They must be named beneficiaries under the will, beneficiaries of a former will, or intestate beneficiaries. 

What Are No-Contest Clauses in Wyoming Wills?

A no-contest clause in a Wyoming will or an “in terrorem clause” is included in the will to deter beneficiaries under a will to contest the provisions in the will. They encourage the beneficiaries under a will to be content with their bequests under a will. A no-contest clause states that any person who contests a will shall lose their bequest under a will. 

What is the Difference Between Probate in Wyoming and North Dakota?

The probate process in Wyoming is straightforward and more flexible than in North Dakota. In Wyoming, a small estate is one whose value is $200,000, while in North Dakota, a small estate is one whose value is $50,000 or less. Will Writing Service in North Dakota has more information on the probate process in North Dakota.

How to Handle Foreign Property in a Wyoming Will

Before dealing with the probate process for foreign property, you should consult an estate attorney in the country where the foreign property is located. For example, if you own an apartment in Dubai, you should consult an estate attorney in Dubai who will guide you on how to write a valid will in Dubai and direct how the property will devolve. For your property and assets in Wyoming, you can make a will that is valid in Wyoming. Upon death, both wills shall be probated. 

How to Make a Will for Same-Sex Couples in Wyoming

Same-sex couples are legal in Wyoming; thus, same-sex couples in Wyoming have legal rights like opposite-sex couples. Regarding will writing, same-sex couples can make wills in Wyoming like opposite-sex couples. A same-sex couple can make mutual or joint wills, or each spouse can make a simple will. When making a will, they should consider their beneficiaries, who will care for their minor children (in their absence), and whether they would like to donate their property to a charitable organization. To learn more about making a will, they should check out How to Make a Will in Wyoming

How to Plan for Pet Care in Your Wyoming Will

You plan for pet care in your Wyoming will by appointing a guardian under your Wyoming will who shall be in charge of caring for your pet under your demise. The pet guardian chosen under the will should consent to being assigned such duties, and they should have a liking for pets. Alternatively, you may choose to leave your pet to a pet home. Whether you choose a pet guardian or a pet home, you should leave instructions on caring for the pet. 

How to Handle Business Succession in a Wyoming Will

Depending on the nature of your business, you can decide how you would like to carry out business succession. A business can be a partnership, a private limited company, a public limited company, or just a registered business. You can elect to leave your business interests to your family, friends, your offspring, or your business partners. Regardless of which beneficiary you elect, you should include your business interests as part of your assets and elect a beneficiary. 

How to Handle Out-of-State Property in a Wyoming Will 

Whether you have an apartment in New York or a boat in Nevada, you can include property outside the state of Wyoming in your will. The will, however, has to be valid in accordance with Wyoming laws, validly executed, and witnessed by two competent witnesses. Upon your death, your property will devolve according to the provisions of your will. 

 

What is the Difference between Holographic Wills and Statutory Wills in Wyoming

Holographic wills and statutory wills are types of wills. Wyoming does not have statutory wills and does not provide for a specific form of an acceptable will. Holographic wills are handwritten wills. For them to be admitted as valid wills in probate court, they have to be written in the testator’s handwriting and signed by the testator. Holographic wills do not require witnessing by two competent witnesses. 

 

Meet the Author

LegalPen Author Anne

Annie L – Distinguished linguist at LegalPen

Annie is a distinguished linguist at LegalPen, bringing a unique blend of legal expertise and linguistic precision to her work. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, attending on a prestigious Law Faculty Merit Scholarship. At Yale, Annie showcased her exceptional skills by serving as an editor on the Yale Law Review.

Upon graduating, Annie gained invaluable experience through a two-year appellate clerkship at a renowned law firm in Connecticut. During her time in law school, she honed her research and writing abilities as a research assistant and writer for various legal firms. Annie’s deep understanding of legal language and her attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to LegalPen.