Uniform Statutory Will Act

The Uniform Statutory Will Act governs the creation of wills through a standardized statutory form, allowing a testator to adopt a preset estate plan by incorporating its terms by reference rather than drafting individual dispositive provisions. The act sets out how the estate is divided — providing a share for a surviving spouse, trusts for a spouse and issue, distribution to heirs where no spouse survives, and a trust holding property for a child who has not reached a specified age — and addresses survival requirements, powers of appointment, and the effect of a beneficiary's disability at the time of distribution. It also covers the appointment and powers of the personal representative and trustee, including bond and surety requirements, and directs that its provisions be applied and construed uniformly among enacting states.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.