Islamic will (wasiyya) in Massachusetts

What your wasiyya (will) covers

• What you owe to Allah — zakat, Hajj, missed prayers and fasts, kaffara, and khums for Shia members.
• What you owe to people — debts and trusts (amanat).
• Your heirs' shares under the Qur'an, by the Sunni schools or the Jaʿfari school, as a guide for your executor.
• Up to one-third for the causes and people you choose, your executor, and guardians for young children.

Signing it so it holds up in Massachusetts

Each US state sets its own rules for signing a will. Most ask for your signature in front of two adult witnesses — safest if they inherit nothing under it — and some let you add a notarized "self-proving" statement so the witnesses needn't be found later. Read Massachusetts's will rules (FindLaw).

Your wasiyya (will) on Islamic Souls comes out as a PDF to print and sign, and you keep the signed copy on your private page so it's never lost.

Passing things on without probate in Massachusetts

• Your home: Massachusetts has no transfer-on-death deed law. Massachusetts has no transfer-on-death deed law; check with a local attorney about alternatives.
• Small estates: Voluntary administration is available 30 days after death when the estate is personal property up to $25,000, plus one car (M.G.L. c.190B 3-1201).
• Cars: One motor vehicle can be included in voluntary administration on top of the $25,000 limit.

Sources: M.G.L. c.190B 3-1201

Members can ask a licensed estate attorney to prepare a trust or deed and write the Islamic shares into it. More about avoiding probate.