The Ultimate Preparation Checklist: Everything You Need to Gather Before Drafting Your Will

Drafting a Will is not just about distributing wealth; it is about preventing litigation. In India, a Will is often contested on the grounds of "undue influence" or "unsound mind." If your checklist is incomplete, your legacy is at risk.

Before you begin the drafting process on iWills, you must have the following five pillars of information ready.

Pillar 1: The Human Architecture (Who is involved?)

A Will requires a specific set of people to be legally enforceable. You cannot leave these names to chance.

1. The Testator (You)

Proof of Identity: Your full legal name as per your Aadhaar and PAN.
Mental Fitness (The Medical Certificate): This is the most overlooked document. If you are over 60 or have a history of illness, you must obtain a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating you are of "sound mind and disposing memory" at the time of signing. This is your primary shield against future legal challenges.

2. The Executors (The Managers)

The Executor is the person who will move the court for probate and distribute your assets.

Primary Executor: A trusted person (friend, relative, or professional) who will carry out your wishes.
Secondary (Alternate) Executor: This is your "Plan B." If your primary executor passes away, is incapacitated, or refuses to act at the time of your death, the secondary executor takes over. Without this, your estate could fall into a legal vacuum.

3. The Witnesses (The Observers)

Two Independent Witnesses: You need two people to see you sign the Will.
The Golden Rule: A witness cannot be a beneficiary. If they are, they lose their inheritance.
Details Needed: Their full names, ages, fathers' names, and permanent addresses.

Pillar 2: The Asset Inventory (What do you own?)

Categorize your assets clearly to ensure no "gaps" are left for relatives to fight over.

1. Immovable Property

Details: Address, Survey Number, Plot Number, and details of the Registration
Share: Clearly state if you own 100% or a specific percentage of the property.

2. High-Value Movables: Gold & Lockers

Gold and Jewelry: List them by weight and location. Be specific: "The 22k gold necklace kept in Bank Locker X."
Bank Lockers: Provide the Bank Name, Branch, and Locker Number. Note the location of the physical key.

3. Financial & Digital Assets

Banking: Savings, Current, FD, and RD account numbers with IFSC codes.
Investments: Demat Account IDs and Mutual Fund Folio numbers.
Digital Currency (Crypto): List the types of coins and the platforms (exchanges) used. Specify where the "access instructions" are stored (do not put passwords in the Will).

Pillar 3: Beneficiaries and Specific Bequests

Primary Beneficiaries: Who gets what? Use percentages for clarity (e.g., "50% to my spouse, 25% to each child").
Alternate Beneficiaries: If a beneficiary passes away before you, where should that portion go? (This prevents the asset from falling into "intestate" succession).
Guardians: If you are leaving assets to minors, name a guardian to manage the assets until they turn 18.

Pillar 4: Liabilities and Expenses

A Will should also clean up your "financial slate."

Debts: List Home Loans, Personal Loans, or private debts.
Instruction for Payment: Specify which asset should be used to pay off these debts first.
Funeral Expenses: You can set aside a specific amount for your last rites to ensure your family isn't burdened during a time of grief.

Pillar 5: The Legal Safety Nets

The Revocation Clause: A statement that this Will supersedes all previous Wills and Codicils.
The Residual Clause: This covers everything you forgot to mention or assets you will buy in the future. It usually reads: "All the rest and residue of my estate... I give to [Name]."
The No-Contest Clause: A clause stating that if any beneficiary challenges the Will, they forfeit their share.

Don’t Just Document Your Life—Secure Your Legacy

Gathering this information is the hardest part of the journey. If you have reached this point, you have already done more for your family’s security than 90% of the population. However, an information checklist is just a collection of data; a Will is a legal shield.

Leaving these details in a drawer or a digital folder isn't enough. Without a legally structured document—complete with a primary and secondary executor, independent witnesses, and a valid medical certificate—your hard work could still be tied up in probate courts for years.

Your Next Step

Don’t let "tomorrow" become "too late." At iWills, we specialize in turning your comprehensive checklist into a bulletproof legal document.

Review your data: Ensure you have both a Primary and a Secondary Executor.
Get Certified: If you’re over 60, secure that medical certificate today.
Draft with Precision: Visit iwills.in to begin the process.

Because your legacy shouldn't be a legal puzzle for your family to solve. It should be a gift.