Indiana Last Will and Testament Form

An Indiana last will and testament template is a written document that lets a testator (the person making the will) name an executor, choose beneficiaries for their property, and appoint a guardian for minor children. It must be signed by the testator and by two attesting witnesses to be valid in Indiana.[1.3]

Preparing a last will lets you decide who receives your property instead of leaving that decision to state law. It also lets you name a guardian for your children and leave burial instructions, and it can be changed or revoked at any time before you die.

Download the free, fillable Indiana last will and testament template below as a PDF or Word file, or build one with our online document maker. This page also covers Indiana’s signing rules and walks through how to complete the form.

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Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Indiana law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.

Indiana Will Requirements and Laws

Indiana law sets out exactly who can sign a last will and how it must be witnessed before a probate court will accept it. Download the fillable PDF or Word form below and follow each requirement as you fill it in.

Requirements State laws
Statutes Title 29 – Probate; Article 1 – Probate Code
Signing requirement Two attesting witnesses 29-1-5-3. Signatures; videotape (see Sources)
Age of testator 18 and older or younger person under certain circumstances 29-1-5-1. Sound mind; armed forces (see Sources)
Self-proving wills Allowed 29-1-5-3.1. Self-proving clause (see Sources)

What Makes a Will Valid in Indiana?

A will is valid in Indiana when the testator signs it (or directs someone else to sign it for them) and at least two witnesses watch the signing and sign the will themselves.[1.3] Skipping any of these steps can leave a will open to challenge in probate court.

  • The testator must be at least 18 years old, or younger if they are a member of the armed forces or merchant marine, and of sound mind.[1.1]
  • The testator must sign the will, acknowledge a signature already made, or have someone else sign their name at their direction and in their presence.[1.3]
  • At least two attesting witnesses must watch the testator sign and confirm the document is the testator’s will.[1.3]
  • The witnesses must sign in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other, not separately.[1.3]
  • A self-proving affidavit can be attached so the witnesses do not have to testify in court during probate.[1.3]

Adding a self-proving affidavit under the will’s self-proving clause lets the court accept the will without calling your witnesses to testify, which can speed up probate.[1.3]

How to Write a Will in Indiana

1. Think about your options. One thing to bear in mind is whether you wish to write the entire document by hand (holographic wills) or use a fillable last will and testament form that we provide. The latter comes in two formats (PDF and DOCX) so that you could have more options regarding editing it the way you need. You can also create a customized document by answering simple questions if you opt for our Indiana last will maker.

2. Indicate your information. Establish the testator and their particulars: full names and addresses (city, county, and state). Go through the details you wrote along with the remainder of the section.
Section for indicating details of Indiana last will and testament

3. Choose the executor. Name the executor who will carry out your will. Enter their full legal name and their city, county, and state of residence. It is advised to choose somebody who resides in the same state as you.

As a safeguard, you can also name an alternate executor. That way, if the person you chose first cannot serve, a second dependable executor is already named and ready to step in.
Executor choosing section of Indiana last will document

4. Indicate the guardian (optional). In case you’ve got minor or dependent children and do not want the court to select a guardian for them when you are no longer on this Earth, you can appoint somebody you know as a guardian for your children. It is also possible to assign someone who will take care of any pets you might have.
Appointing the guardian section of last will form Indiana

5. Specify your beneficiaries. At this stage, you establish people who are going to receive your assets. For each inheritor, specify these details: full name, address, and the way they are related to you. Charitable organizations can also be your beneficiaries.

6. Designate possessions. You can indicate which of your respective inheritors gets this or that piece of property. Otherwise, the assets will be divided evenly between the beneficiaries. Property can include cash, shares, realty, business ownership, money for unresolved arrears, and any tangible items of commercial value that count among your possessions.
Section for specifying beneficiaries and allocating property of Indiana last will

7. Ask witnesses to sign the document. Under Indiana law, at least two witnesses must watch you sign and then sign the will themselves, in your presence and in each other’s presence.[1.3] As an extra precaution against situations when the will is contested or any other problems, it makes sense to assign a witness who’s younger than you to ensure they will still be there after you are gone.
Signatures of witnesses section of will and testament template for Indiana

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Frequently Asked Questions

Indiana testators most often ask about self-proving affidavits, who can sign in their place, and how to change a will after signing it. The three answers below cite the same Indiana statute that governs signing and witnessing a will.

Is it mandatory (in Indiana) to add a self-proving affidavit to my will?

No, in Indiana, there isn’t such a requirement.[1.3] But, attaching one could be rather useful since it eliminates the demand for witnesses’ testimony during probate, which eases the process substantially.

Can someone change my will?

No, only you can change your will. There is only one particular situation when a third party is allowed to get involved. In case you’re physically incapable of signing your last will and testament, someone can do it instead of you, at your direction and in your presence.[1.3]

In Indiana, is it possible to change a last will after I sign it?

Yes. Under Section 29-1-5-6 of the Ind. Code, you revoke a will by destroying or marking it up with the intent to cancel it, or by signing a new will or written statement that cancels the old one.[1.2]

For minor changes, it is recommended to use a codicil. But if you want to change a lot of things, it is better to create a new will.


Related documents When to create one
Codicil You would like to make one or a few slight modifications to your will.
Self-proving affidavit You want to expedite the probate later on.
Living will You want to establish what health care you expect if you’re unable to express that yourself.
Living trust You would like to skip probate by putting your property in the possession of a trust.

Last Will and Testament Forms for Other States

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Sources

  1. Ind. Code 29-1-5-1 §§ Ind. Code 29-1-5-1, Ind. Code 29-1-5-6, 29-1-5-3.
Published: Apr 8, 2022
Mara Erlach
Mara Erlach
Writer & Attorney
Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.