How is the validity of a will determined related to personal property?

The validity of a will is primarily determined by the law of the testator's domicile at the time of death. This means that the legal principles and requirements of the state in which the testator resided at the time of passing govern the validity of the will, including how personal property is distributed. A will is a reflection of the testator's intent, and determining validity based on the domicile ensures that those intents are executed in accordance with the laws that the testator would have been subject to, granting a measure of respect for their wishes.

In contrast, while the law of the state where the will was executed might influence certain procedural matters, it does not necessarily dictate the substantive validity of the will as it relates to the distribution of property after death. Similarly, the law of the property’s state can be significant in determining the status of specific items, but it does not override the basic requirements established by the testator's domicile. The law of the testator's birthplace is generally not relevant to will validity or enforcement in the context of personal property distribution, as domicile has the greater impact in the eyes of probate law. Thus, the emphasis on domicile aligns with both legal principles and practical considerations in will execution and probate matters.