Have you decided that you need to finally take time to put your last wishes into writing? Are you thinking about doing the process yourself, in an effort to save both time and money? Although you may be able to do much of the initial planning on your own, it's still a good idea to consult with an attorney before you finalize anything. There are a number of reasons why you should consider doing so, some of which include:
Asset division: In order to ensure that your desired division of assets is possible, it's a good idea to consult with a probate lawyer before finalizing any document. This is especially true if you want to make sure that someone who would normally inherit a portion of your estate will wind up with nothing. In some states, all you must do is list your current assets and who is to get what percentage. In other states, doing such a thing may render a will invalid or contestable. In order to disinherit someone completely, you may actually have to do something like leave them a single dollar in your will so that the government knows that they weren't forgotten inadvertently. A good attorney will discuss different scenarios with you and help you to choose the terms that are right for you.
Will validity: Each state has different laws on what constitutes a valid will. In some instances, a will that is entirely written out in your own handwriting may be a legal document. In other jurisdictions, you may need to have your will notarized or for it to be signed by witnesses. If you do things one way but the will isn't accepted in your state, your heirs may have a difficult time. If you move frequently and aren't sure where your residence will be when you pass on, a probate lawyer can help to ensure that the will you write will be considered a valid legal document wherever you are.
Document storage: In addition to the will itself, there are other documents and pieces of information that your heirs might need after you pass on. This includes pre-paid funeral arrangements, bank account information, life insurance policies, and more. Without the help of a probate lawyer, this information might not be found for months after you pass on, possibly after the point when it would have been useful. Your lawyer can notify your heirs that this information exists and can provide this information to them so that they are able to take full advantage of your foresight.
Share9 October 2017
Hi there, my name is John Michaels. Welcome to my website about general attorney services. When I was wrapped up in a neighborhood dispute, I decided to consult with a general attorney to receive guidance and support. The attorney helped me understand how to best proceed with the dispute to achieve a mutually-acceptable resolution. Through this experience, I was inspired to share information about the services provided by general attorneys. I invite you to visit my site daily to learn about these important service offerings and their role in your dispute resolution activities. Thank you for coming to visit my site.