What Is a Simple Will and Is It Enough for You?
A simple will covers the basics: who gets your stuff, who's in charge, who takes your pets. For most young adults, that's all you need. Here's what's in one and who it's right for.
By Willy Team · July 14, 2026 · 5 min read
For most of us under 40, a 'simple will' covers everything that actually needs to be covered. No trusts, no complicated structures. Just the core stuff, documented clearly.
What is a simple will?
A simple will is a legal document that covers the basics of what happens when you die:
- Who inherits your assets (your beneficiaries)
- Who manages the process (your executor)
- Who takes care of your pets (your pet guardian)
- Any specific gifts you want to leave to specific recipients
- Optional personal messages to loved ones
That's the list. It doesn't include trusts, complex tax planning, business succession, or provisions for minors receiving large inheritances. For most young adults, none of those things apply.
A simple will is typically two to four pages long. It's plain language (or close to it). It covers what matters without overcomplicating things that don't.
What a simple will covers
Your beneficiaries. Those (or organizations) who inherit your estate. You can leave everything to one person, split it among several, designate percentages, or specify particular items. Whatever you decide, it goes in writing.
An executor. The person responsible for carrying out your will after you die — paying debts, filing paperwork, distributing assets. This is a real job, not an honorary title. Choose someone organized, responsible, and willing.
Pet guardians. Since pets are considered property under the law, you can name a specific person to take care of them and optionally leave money to help cover their care.
Specific gifts. If you want a particular item to go to a particular person — your guitar to your brother, your car to your best friend — a simple will lets you say so explicitly.
A residue clause. Whatever's left after specific gifts go to your named beneficiaries. This is the catch-all that makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Backup beneficiaries. If your primary beneficiary dies before you, the backup inherits instead. Without one, that share goes through intestacy law — which probably isn't what you want.
What a simple will doesn't cover
A simple will isn't designed for every situation. It's probably not enough if you:
- Own real estate in multiple states (you may need ancillary probate or a trust)
- Have a child with special needs who receives government benefits
- Own a business with multiple stakeholders
- Have an estate worth more than $2 million (tax planning becomes relevant)
- Want to control when and how a beneficiary receives their inheritance
If any of these apply, you may need something more — a trust, a pour-over will, or an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
For everyone else: a simple will is probably exactly what you need.
Who is a simple will right for?
About 80% of young adults. If you:
- Are single, in a relationship, or married without complex assets
- Have basic assets: savings, a car, personal property, maybe a pet
- Have clear ideas about who should get your stuff
- Don't have minor children who would need a guardian (or only need basic guardian designation)
- Have an estate under $1–2 million
...a simple will covers your situation cleanly.
Those who need more complex documents are in the minority. The legal industry has done a good job of convincing everyone otherwise — because more complex documents mean more billable hours — but the reality is that most young adults' estates are genuinely simple.
Does a simple will go through probate?
Yes, wills go through probate — a court process that validates your will and oversees the distribution of your estate. Probate gets a bad reputation, but for simple estates it's usually fast and relatively painless.
If you want to avoid probate entirely, you'd need a trust. But for most young adults, that's not worth the added cost and complexity. Probate on a simple estate is manageable.
How do you make a simple will?
Online will platforms handle this efficiently. You answer questions, the platform generates a properly formatted legal document, you print it, sign it in front of two witnesses, and you're done.
The whole process takes about 15–20 minutes. The witnessing is the step most of us skip — don't. A will that isn't signed and witnessed isn't legally valid.
A simple will is a good will. It covers what matters, it's easy to update as your life changes, and it costs a fraction of what an attorney charges for the same outcome. [Create yours in 10 minutes](/create-will).