How easy is completing an online will and/or trust? Are there any problems legally?
359226
You can get a simple will at 'Staples'.  Make sure that you have it notarized properly with witnesses.  I did my notarization at my bank for no charge.
201631
To keep down all the confusion the best way is to pool some money together an hire a lawyer for one hour an let him read the will that way there won't be any confusion as to what each person gets. Know from experience when my father passed away my 4 brothers wanted to clean out his house and that isn't what he wanted, there was things that was promised to me an they knew it. Took will to lawyer with money and all ended up the way he wanted it.
867263
Its impossible, unethical and illegal for anyone here to give you specific advice without knowing what state you're talking about.  \n\nGenerally, the laws of the US say that if there is a will, then the terms of the will are controlling as to what happens.  To enforce or effectuate the will, a proceeding needs to be filed in a probate court.  This will transfer all property and allow for the administration of the estate, (including all final bills, etc)\n\nIf there is no will, then the decedent died intestate (without a will).  The laws of your state govern what is called intestate sucession.  This says who inherits and how much.  Only an attorney who is licensed in your state can advise you on how those laws will work in your case.\n\nIn MOST cases, the family can agree to deal with the estate in a very different way, but it requires some legal manuvering to do so.  \n\nIn all of the scenarios above,  you need the advice of an attorney in your state who is experienced in probate law.  If you don't have an attorney, contact your local or state bar association for a referral.
910928
I hate to say this, but you are probably up "sheep's creek without a paddle"!\nI am presently going through the same ordeal. My mom passed away and left a will, so we thought! Sometime in her last days my brother managed to coerce her into doing a new will that left him as power of attorney, executor of the will, and recipient of all her bank accounts! I knew for a fact that my mother was not capable "mentally" of doing this due to her condition! I protested to no avail and the court refused to budge unless I hired an attorney. The attorney wanted a $25,000 retainer fee that would "begin" the objection and more than likely result in a law suit against my brother that would have cost far more! It just wasn't worth the effort. However, with all said, the man above sees all and punishes those who go against his word! So in my heart I know his day is coming and we can all celebrate when the moment arises!!!!
509261
Well, I have drafted about 1000 of them.  I would not have it any other way.  You avoid probate and can change the terms of who gets what really easy.  Also when they are properly drafted they can expand like a swiss army knife.  It gives you the ability to control your wealth from the grave, or just make it easy for your children to administer when you are dead.
407040
Was it already probated?  If so there'd be a copy at the court house.  If not it has to come either from his lawyer or another family member who has a copy.  Most locations a copy is good enough if it bears the signatures of the person and witnesses.  Some however don't allow copies to be used.  If you're arguing over the will it will be going to court anyway so why not ask the family member?  They'll be compeled by the court to produce it anyway regardless of it's contested or not.
270769
I used an attorney for the paperwork once. With the correct forms, you can do it, but it is really worth the price you pay the agent to take care of it.  They do all the leg work for you.  Advertisement is the power behind the sell.  Most charge about 6%.
575024
No, and the form (cash or real property) doesn't matter, except that if it's under $100,000, and there's no real property involved, then it's much easier, you can avoid probate. If you need to collect $ from banks etc., there is an affidiavit you can fill out. See below.\n\nIn my case, most places knew about the form and didn't hassle me too much. A couple of brokerages tried to insist on a document from the court. If you read the probate code, you'll see that they can't do that.
149336
yes, you should probably seek a lawyer, preferably one that specializes in will, trust and estate law.
231793
I think that you should contact a law office that specializes in Wills, Trusts, and Estates Law and seek a free consultation to see if they may be able to make a case for you or make a referral to what should be the next move. Good Luck...and keep the fire to inquire!
519587
Yes.\n\nComputers and the Internet are only virtual anyway. What happens on the one day that you need that statement and your access is unavailable for some reason? I find that the days that I need that information (or any information!) are the ones where some problem impedes my access.\n\nThat's quite aside from the fact that most banks only store statements online for the last 6 months. In most situations you're going to want to access at least the last 12 months.\n\nAdd to that the fact that online banking still requires some maintenance on their part. This means that their services may be interrupted from time to time, sometimes for several hours (though it tends to be in the wee hours).\n\nNow, I do admire your perspicacity where paper conservation is concerned, but your personal needs should override those factors, at least until such time that electronic copies can be made permanently available.\n\nOne alternative that may be of value, but will take a little more work, lies in the use of a document scanner (a flatbed will do but is more work). You could scan the statements and store them locally (and keep a backup). That would mean that your statements are stored electronically and are also available without Internet access or the bank being available. Don't forget to shred upon completion.
1080675
What kind of will, and why is it not being executed? Really need this information to give an answer. Wills are not fool proof, and can be rendered unenforceable a lot of times. A trust is the way to go. \n\nIf this is a will of a decesed family member or person, and nobody objects to its contents, and the decesed has no further outstanding debts, there should be no reason why it should not be executed. If you have arguments or outstanding debts, it could make the process very messy.
1002069
Check with the probate court, I picked up the papers from them when I applied for guardianship of my nephew. Ours is at the town hall. I did have to have them notarized, and banks aren't willing to do it, so I had a lawyer's secretary who was a notary do it. It was pretty cheap, and easy. The biggest expense was filing the papers -$150.00
837713
I would quickly phone a paralegal or attorney (use phone book) and ask them your "quickie" Last Will question as they would be best equipped to provide you with an appropriate answer.  If that's not possible, I would write out your Last Will, and Testament on a piece of paper giving your full name and the names of your executor and beneficiaries.  It may not hold up in court if challenged, but it's better than nothing.  Rather than using a plain piece of paper, you could have your friend run out to an office supply store and pick up a blank copy of a Last Will and Testament usually found in the Business Forms Section of the store.  If you're set up with a computer, then you could try using one of many computer software programs (i.e, Intuit's Will Maker) which will generate a Will for you as quick as you can type in your name and that of your beneficiary(ies).  One other option that I might suggest is that you contact the hospital social worker and tell this person your predicament. Every hospital has at least one social worker who is suppose to be able to handle these types of situations.  In any case, best of luck.  \n\nHopefully, you will come through the surgery with flying colors in which case this potential problem will be moot.\n\nCheers!
1047765
They can protest but I believe from reading this page their attempt would most likely fail.  The will has to have physical damage or have a signature crossed out to be invalid, and if that were the case an older version of the will would be accepted, I think.
557124
could try the register of wills office
785531
If you have a wife or kids definitely.  Don't do a handwritten will - have an attorney draw one up for you.  They usually charge around $100.00 and unless you have a lot of specific bequests or complicated divisions of assets the process to draw one up is quick and painless.  Some can draw them up while you wait.  The reason you do not want to write it yourself is that most people generally leave out important clauses that cause big headaches for the executor during the probate process.  Or they forget to have the will witnessed and notarized.\nEven if you don't have a lot of assets you may still need a will.  In my state there is what is called a Small Estate Affidavit for estates valued at less than $100,000.00.  It allows the estate to not go into probate but it also requires a Will to show division of assets.  Definitely go to an attorney - it is not as complicated as people think.  Also look into getting a Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney and a Power of Attorney for Property.