How do you write a will?

You should seek legal advice when writing a will because legal limits may apply with respect to your freedom to make bequests. We cannot witness a will or help you in any other way when you write a will, although we would remind you that a will must meet certain requirements in order to be valid.

We recommend appending your national identity number (11 digits). You should also write who should inherit the remaining assets at the time of death if you want to bequeath specific objects, properties and or amounts of money. If no such provisions are included, relatives will inherit that which is not mentioned in the will.

Requirements regarding the will

The will must be in writing.
The will must be signed by you and two witnesses.

Requirements for you

You must be at least 18 years old.
If you are younger than 18, the Norwegian Civil Affairs Authority must affirm the will.

Requirements for witnesses

The people chosen to witness your will must be at least 18 years old and not be married to, cohabit with or be a (close) relative of one of your heirs.
The people chosen to witness your will must understand that the document is a will.

Requirements regarding signatures

The person who writes the will must sign it in the presence of, or confirm their signature to, the people who witness the will. This can be done with both witnesses present at the same time or each witness present at different times.
The person creating the will must be present when the witnesses sign it. This also applies if the witnesses sign it at different times.

Both the person writing the will and the witnesses should date their signatures. In addition, the witnesses should provide a witness statement stating, for example:
“We hereby confirm as independent witnesses that the above will was signed by XX as their last will and testament. We have signed the will at the request of XX and in XX’s presence. We confirm that XX was of sound mind at the time.”