Pour-Over Will Template

What Is the Pour-Over Will Template?

A pour-over will is a specialized last will and testament designed to work with a living trust. Unlike a standalone will that names individual beneficiaries for each asset, a pour-over will names your trust as the primary beneficiary of your residuary estate. Any property that passes through probate "pours over" into your trust and gets distributed according to your trust terms.

This template addresses common gaps in trust-based estate plans: the bank account you opened last month and forgot to retitle, the inheritance you received a week before you passed, or the car still in your individual name. Rather than passing to unintended heirs through intestacy, these assets flow to your trust where your chosen beneficiaries receive them.

 

Is This Pour-Over Will Template Right for You?

You need this template if you're:

• Creating or already have a revocable living trust
• A parent who needs to name guardians for minor children
• Concerned about assets that might slip through the cracks
• Looking to complete a comprehensive estate plan
• Managing assets that are difficult to retitle into a trust
• Wanting backup protection for your trust-based plan

You definitely need this template if:

• You have a living trust but no will to accompany it
• You regularly acquire new assets that could be forgotten during trust funding
• You have minor children who need a court-appointed guardian named
• You want to intentionally disinherit someone and need written documentation
• Your trust could fail and you need a backup distribution plan

 

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money. Attorney-drafted wills typically cost $300-$1,000 or more.

Save Time. Complete your will in under an hour, not weeks of scheduling.

Look Professional. Court-ready format with proper attestation and self-proving affidavit.

Keeps You Out of Court. The No-Contest Provision and Intentional Omissions section prevent inheritance disputes.

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout. Complete your purchase through our encrypted payment system.

Step 2: Instant Download. Access your template and how-to guide immediately via email.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields. Follow the guide to complete your will, then sign with witnesses and notarize.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Once purchased, you can revise and reuse this template whenever your circumstances change. Life events like marriage, divorce, or new children often require will updates.

Is this contract legally binding?

Yes. When properly executed with your signature, two witnesses, and notarization of the self-proving affidavit, this will is legally valid in all 50 states.

Do I need a living trust to use this pour-over will?

Yes. A pour-over will is specifically designed to work with a revocable living trust. The will references your trust by name and date. If you don't have a trust yet, pair this template with our Revocable Living Trust Template.

What's the difference between a pour-over will and a regular will?

A regular will distributes your assets directly to named beneficiaries. A pour-over will directs assets into your trust, where they're distributed according to the trust's terms. This keeps your distribution plan in one document and provides additional privacy since trusts aren't public record.

Will assets in this will still go through probate?

Yes. Assets passing through any will must go through probate. The pour-over will catches assets you didn't transfer to your trust during life. The goal is still to fund your trust while you're alive to minimize what goes through probate.

Can I name a guardian for my children in my trust instead of this will?

No. Only a will can nominate guardians for minor children. This is one of the key reasons everyone with minor children needs a pour-over will even if they have a fully funded trust.