What is the best way to draw up a will right now?

[Ms. Toad]

40. First - notaries are not magic. Wills generally don't need to be notarized

So the lack of a notary is generally of no consequene at all. (The lack of witnesses is a much bigger deal in most states.)

Second, most states have simultaneous death provisions.

Ordinarily the spouse that dies last (even if only a minute later) inherits all

The standard is 120 hours. If a beneficiary dies within 120 hours (the state specified period), the beneficiary is treated as if they died before the person whose will is being interpreted.

So if spouses die within a minute of each other, generally the estate goes to kids of the beneficiaries - or to whoever gets the residue - or, if that fails, by state statute for distribution without a will.

Your "if he survives me for X period" generally should avoid the consequences of simultaneous death (as long as it is longer than the state simultaneous death provision)

But - again - these laws are very state specific. Check with an attorney in your state.