When and how should I revise my will?
You should revise your will any time to reflect any change in family status, such as marriage, divorce, or birth of a child....
Estate Planning
What if I have more children after I write my will?
If you have more children after you write your Will, the way to avoid problems is to keep your Will up to date....
My brother who was left out of dad’s will is challenging it. What can we expect if we settle?
In a settlement, instead of getting nothing and having to pay his or her own legal bills, your brother would get something, which would deplete the size of the estate that would otherwise go to the ot...
Wills and Young Adults
Many young adults avoid writing a will because they mistakenly believe they are not old enough or wealthy enough to need one. But at any age, if you die without a will, the distribution of your proper...
Is a handwritten will valid?
Wills written by hand (not typed or created on a computer or word processor), also known as holographic wills, are only valid in a few states. Click for a list of states that legally recognize hologra...
Deathbed Will
A deathbed will is a will created and executed when the testator is facing imminent death....
Self-Proving Will
A self-proving will, or a self-proving affidavit attached to a will, certifies that the witnesses and testator properly signed the will....
Do will executors get paid?
Someone who serves as an Executor or Personal Representative of an estate is entitled to get paid for the job....
What if a Witness to the Execution of a Will Dies?
As long as a Will is not contested, the fact that a witness dies, moves, loses capacity, or is no longer friendly should make no difference....
Differences Between Wills and Trusts
A trust is a way of transferring your property to an artificial legal entity or person (the trust) before your death, while still having the use and/or control of it during your lifetime. There are tw...
Does a will change named beneficiaries for life insurance policies, pensions, and similar accounts?
Does a will change named beneficiaries for life insurance policies, pensions, and similar accounts?...
How much should it cost me to have a lawyer prepare a will or a trust for me?
How much should it cost me to have a lawyer prepare a will or a trust for me?...
What are the duties of the executor of an estate?
The responsibilities of an estate executor include collecting property, hiring an estate attorney, publishing the necessary death certificates, locating accounts, business affiliations and tax documen...
Protecting Wages from Creditors
Every state has an exemption for certain types of income which creditors may not be able to garnish even if they hold a judgment against you. If you have exempt income or property, a debt collector ca...
What is a Crummey trust?
Crummey is the name of a taxpayer who succeeded getting an annual exclusion by establishing a trust containing withdrawal rights for the benefit of minor children. A Crummey trust is a special form of...
Can I Write My Own Will?
A Will is an important legal document that contains your instructions and wishes for handling your estate and distributing the property and assets you own in your own name after you die....
Fat Cats Jake and Frisco Inherit Home & $250,000 in Tennessee Will
Leon Sheppard, Sr., so loved his cats, Frisco and Jake, that before he died, Leon made sure that they would continue to live the lives they were accustomed to under his care. In his will, Leon left hi...
Sample of Simple Will
An example of a simple will to show what is typically included in a simple will....
What happens when someone objects to a will?
Expert advice on how to handle a will contest. If someone files an objection to the will in probate court or produces another will, then what is known as a will contest will begin. While few people ev...
Legalzoom Review for Will Preparation
An in depth review of LegalZoom.com's will preparation by an independent attorney....
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