Originally published: April 16, 2015 | Last updated: February 5, 2026
TL;DR: An estimated 3–6 million Americans live abroad, and many still hold assets in the US that require a valid US Last Will and Testament. You can create one from anywhere in the world using ExpatLegalWills.com in about 20 minutes for $34.95. The process involves naming an executor, planning your asset distribution, creating alternate plans, printing the document, signing it with two witnesses, and storing it safely.
Why Do Americans Abroad Need a US Will?
The US diaspora exists throughout the world because large numbers of people have settled in Mexico and the Philippines and Israel and Canada as well as throughout Europe and Asia and Africa. Between three and six million Americans reside abroad but they maintain ownership of their American-based properties and financial accounts and investment assets in the United States.
The American assets of US citizens who pass away without creating a Will will become subject to the state laws which govern property distribution when someone dies without a Will in their location of asset ownership. The state government rather than the deceased person makes decisions about who receives which assets.
What Are the Options for Creating a US Will from Abroad?
| Method | Quality | Cost | Feasibility for Expats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handwritten (holographic) Will | Very poor | Free | Only accepted in ~7 states; not recognized if written abroad in most cases |
| Blank form Will kit | Poor to fair | $20–50 | Rarely state-specific; may revoke other Wills; may not be current |
| Estate planning attorney | High | $500+ | Requires travel to the US; must sign in person; expensive |
| ExpatLegalWills.com | High | $34.95 | Available anywhere; state-specific; designed for expats |
How to Create Your US Last Will and Testament in 6 Steps
Step 1: Make key appointments
Name an executor to administer your US estate and, if applicable, guardians for minor children. Name alternates in case your first choices are unable to serve. It is a good idea to gain approval from your appointees before naming them.
Step 2: Plan the distribution of your assets
Decide who receives what. You can distribute your entire estate to a single person or create detailed instructions which name specific beneficiaries for each property item. People should think about making charitable donations through their wills because this type of giving doesn’t affect their daily life yet it produces major results for nonprofit organizations.
Step 3: Create alternate plans
What happens if your main beneficiary predeceases you? What if you are both involved in a common accident? The “what if” situations demand proper evaluation because they represent the most vital aspects which need to be addressed in estate planning.
Step 4: Step through the service
The ExpatLegalWills.com service consists of nine main sections which users need to complete. You need to identify yourself while explaining your family structure before you can select your executor and guardians and decide how to distribute your possessions and create trusts for children under age 18 and pay off any remaining debts.
Step 5: Print and sign your Will
The document must be printed on paper and signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. Digital, scanned, video, and verbal Wills are not legally acceptable. Witnesses do not need to be lawyers, US citizens, or US residents; two friends, neighbors, or coworkers are sufficient.
Step 6: Store your document safely
Your Will needs to stay in a place which your executor can access without any trouble. People who live cannot register their Wills because no such registry exists for them. Give your executor a sealed copy of your will when you live in the United States because they will need it to present to probate courts.
Key Takeaway
The ExpatLegalWills.com system generates a US Will which focuses on your American properties and functions as an addition to any Will you possess in your home country. The entire process takes about 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a holographic Will valid for US expats abroad?
Holographic Wills exist as valid documents in seven US states which include Connecticut and Hawaii and Oregon but these states require you to create the document within their borders. The system fails to provide trustworthy solutions for expats who need assistance.
Do my witnesses need to be American citizens?
No. All US states allow Will witnesses to perform their duties without requiring them to become citizens or residents of the United States. Any two adults who are not beneficiaries can serve as witnesses, regardless of where in the world you are located.
Can I update my US Will after creating it?
Yes. You can log into your ExpatLegalWills.com account at any time, make changes, download the updated Will, print it, and sign it again with two witnesses.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets and has contributed to articles in most leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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