Though the idea of creating an estate plan might be daunting, it is important to prepare for the entirety of your life as well as after it. Your estate plan protects your assets after you pass away. A crucial component of an estate plan is a written will. A will is a legal document that dictates how you wish for your belongings to be handled after your life. When creating a will, having an experienced attorney may help in deciding the best plan for you.
Why Create a Will?
There are many benefits to creating a will before you pass. Throughout a lifetime, any human being collects certain possessions that should continue to be taken care of. These assets deserve to be left in the right hands, which can be done by creating a will. With a written will, you are able to ensure that your belongings end up with the people of your choice. This can prevent you from being worried about what could happen if your estate is not taken care of the way you would want it to be.
If an individual dies with a will, they are known as “testate.” If a will is not created, they are known as dying “intestate.” If this happens, their estate may be controlled by the State of California. This gives the state the right to decide where your assets end up, depending on the surviving family members of the deceased.
Executing a Will
In order to produce a valid will, there are certain guidelines to be followed. In the state of California, a will must be signed. This can be done a few different ways: by the testator themselves, in the name of the testator by another individual in their presence (with permission to do so), or by a court-ordered guardian. In addition to this, other requirements include:
- The will must be written
- It must be known to be a will
- Signing the will must be witnessed by two people
- The witnesses are required to be aware they are at a will signing
Contact
If you or a family member is looking to create a will for your estate and wish to speak with an experienced attorney, contact the Law Offices of Yacoba Ann Feldman today.
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney, such as Jaci Feldman of the Woodland Hills, California, Law Office of Yacoba Ann Feldman, will ensure that you are taken care of when you need it most.Contact The Law Offices of Yacoba Ann Feldman to schedule a consultation today.
