Last Will and Testament of Warren E. Burger
(Editor’s note: As a word of warning, don't use this will as your model. Instead, think of it as an object lesson and as a warning that even the most legally sophisticated individuals can royally screw up their will.
Although Warren Burger was a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, his will drafting skills left a lot to be desired. His self-written will failed to give any authority to his executors and didn't include any estate tax provisions. These oversights limited what could be done with the estate and needlessly cost the estate thousands of dollars)
I hereby make and declare the following to be my last will and testament. 
1. My executors will first pay all claims against my estate; 
2. The remainder of my estate will be distributed as follows: one-third to my daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Burger Rose and two-thirds to my son, Wade A. Burger; 
3. I designate and appoint as executors of this will, Wade A. Burger and J. Michael Luttig. 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to this my Last Will and Testament this 9th day of June, 1994. 
/s/Warren E. Burger 
We hereby certify that in our presence on the date written above WARREN E. BURGER signed the foregoing instrument and declared it to be his Last Will and Testament and that at this request in his presence and in the presence of each other we have signed our names below as witnesses. 
/s/Nathaniel E. Brady residing at 120 F St., NW, Washington, DC 
/s/Alice M. Khu residing at 3041 Meeting St., Falls Church, VA