BM
Bishop McGuinness
Will Planner
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Create Your Will.
Leave a Lasting Legacy.

A free, guided tool from the Bishop McGuinness Legacy Office to help Oklahoma residents document their wishes, provide for their families, and — if they choose — include a gift to the school.

Free
~20 Minutes
Oklahoma-Specific
Private & Secure

This tool provides educational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Documents are not legally valid until properly signed and witnessed per Oklahoma law. Provided by the Bishop McGuinness Legacy Office.

Start About You Family Assets Beneficiaries Executor Charity Special Review Done
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Create your will.
Leave a lasting legacy.

A guided process to document your wishes, provide for your loved ones, and — if you choose — include a gift to Bishop McGuinness.

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About 20 minutes

Answer straightforward questions at your own pace

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Oklahoma-specific

Aligned with Oklahoma Title 84 requirements

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Private & secure

Your information stays in your browser — never stored

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Gift optional

Include a gift to BMCHS — entirely your choice

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Important before you begin: This tool provides educational guidance only — not legal advice. Best suited for straightforward estates. If you have a blended family, business ownership, significant assets, or special needs beneficiaries, please consult an estate planning attorney.

Disclosures & Acknowledgments

  • No legal advice. The Bishop McGuinness Legacy Office is not a law firm. All content is educational only.
  • No attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this tool.
  • Execution required. Documents are not legally valid until properly signed and witnessed per Oklahoma law.
  • Non-binding gifts. Any charitable gift intention is non-binding and may be changed at any time.
  • Oklahoma residents. This tool is designed for Oklahoma. Requirements in other states differ.
  • Data privacy. All information stays in your browser session and is not transmitted or stored.
Step 1 of 8

About You

This information identifies you as the testator — the person making the will.

Include name variations to avoid ambiguity in probate.
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Oklahoma law (Title 84) requires you to be 18 or older and of sound mind to create a valid will.
Step 2 of 8

Your Family

Identifying your family clearly is critical — omitting a child or spouse can affect how Oklahoma courts interpret your will.

Step 3 of 8

Your Assets

Understanding what you own helps ensure your will is complete. Your will generally covers probate assets — not accounts with named beneficiaries.

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Probate vs. Non-Probate: Accounts with named beneficiaries (IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance, joint tenancy property) pass outside your will. Your will covers everything else in your name alone.
Step 4 of 8

Distribution Plan

How do you want your estate distributed?

Always include a contingent beneficiary.
Step 5 of 8

Your Executor

Your executor (Personal Representative in Oklahoma) carries out the instructions in your will — paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing your estate.

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Choose someone who is trustworthy, organized, and able to act impartially. Ask them before naming them. Always name an alternate.

Primary Executor / Personal Representative

Alternate Executor (Strongly Recommended)

Waive bond requirement
Saves your estate money. Most simple wills include this waiver.
Request independent administration
Allows executor to manage estate with minimal court supervision — reduces costs and delays.
Step 6 of 8

Include a Charitable Gift

Many people choose to leave a portion of their estate to causes they care about. This is entirely optional.

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Disclosure: Any charitable gift intention is non-binding and revocable at any time. The nonprofit is not a party to your will and does not participate in its preparation.
Step 7 of 8

Special Instructions

These sections are optional but help avoid disputes and ensure your intentions are clear.

Pet care — name a caretaker for my pets
Pets are property under Oklahoma law and cannot directly inherit.
Survivorship clause (recommended)
Beneficiary must survive you by 30 days to inherit.
I am intentionally excluding someone from my will
Must be explicit under Oklahoma law.
I have a beneficiary with special needs
Direct inheritance can disqualify a person from government benefits.
Step 8 of 8

Review & Summary

Review your information, then read your full will document before completing.

Your Will Document

Review carefully. This is what you will sign.

Execution Instructions — Oklahoma Law

1
Print your completed will on standard white paper, single-sided.
2
Choose two witnesses who are at least 18 and ideally not beneficiaries under your will.
3
Declare your will aloud, sign in ink with both witnesses present, then both witnesses sign.
4
Self-Proving Affidavit (strongly recommended): Have a notary complete this section.
5
Store your will safely and tell your executor where it is.

Final Acknowledgments

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Your legacy plan is ready.

You've taken an important step. Follow the execution instructions to make your will legally valid in Oklahoma.

Your Next Steps

1

Print your documents

Print the will document pages. Do not alter them after printing.

2

Choose two witnesses and a notary

Ideally disinterested (not beneficiaries). A notary for the self-proving affidavit is strongly recommended.

3

Sign in the presence of all parties

Declare your will, sign it, have witnesses sign — all together at the same time and place.

4

Store safely and notify your executor

Your executor must know where your will is located.

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Contact the Legacy Office

Questions about your planned gift? Mary Joyce is happy to help.

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Print Your Documents

Print everything you need to execute your will today.

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Update Your Will

Life changes. Return here to create a new plan anytime.

Important Final Disclosures

This tool has provided educational guidance only. The documents generated are templates and are not a substitute for advice from a qualified Oklahoma estate planning attorney. The Bishop McGuinness Legacy Office expressly disclaims all liability for outcomes related to the use of these materials. Your will is not legally valid until properly executed per Oklahoma law (Title 84). Any charitable gift intention is non-binding and revocable at any time.