they sell premade Wills (last will and testament). once filled out/signed, are these valid and legal Wills?
957522
the signature must be witness by two people, and notarized.  then file it in a safe place, preferrably a copy should be left with an attorney. then yes, it is legal.
854817
Anyone can write their own will in their own language and have it notarized by a notary republic. But if you want assistance in writing and filing your will, http://www.legalzoom.com is a great site. You just fill out your information on their site and they prepare your will for you. I believe the cost is about $50, including filing fees.\n\nI recommend legalzoom if your estate is simple and you don't have a lot of beneficiaries. If you do, they I would talk to an estate lawyer. Also, you will need to have a lawyer create your will if you own a business.
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.
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!
478540
Generally, a holographic will must meet the following requirements:\n\nAll material provisions must be written in your own handwriting. This doesn't prevent you from using form-wills available over the internet or at some courthouses. As long as all the important parts are handwritten, that is generally good enough. When in doubt, copy everything over into your own handwriting.\n\nAnother general rule is that the person making the will must understand every statement in it. Writing something that you don't understand in a legal document is generally a bad idea. \n\nThe will must also be signed by the person making it, at the time it is made, and signed with the intent of making the document a will. Some forms or samples contain a clause to that effect. Present intent to treat the document as a binding will is the key here.\n\nSome states/provinces require witnesses, even for holographic wills. Some require the holographic will be notarized. Some do not. Check your local listings.\n\nAs to wills in general, the more specific you can make things, the less problems they usually propose. When giving something to a person, clearly and unambiguously identify the person. For example "my cousin" is less precise than "Amy Gardner", and both are less precise than "my cousin Amy Gardner who lives in Cincinnati". \n\nFor the property being given, however, general statements are more inclusive. "Everything" (or "everything else, aside from .... above") is called a residuary clause, and is also usually accepted by most courts.\n\nAs with any legal matter, don't take random advice anonymous given over the internet. Do the research. Many law schools and court houses offer free legal advice through clinics for simple matters. Many state bar associations also have lawyer referral services where you can get a lawyer free for up to one hour for simple matters. \n\nDo the research. A few extra hours spent doing it right can save months of headaches later.
509627
sure,you can save tons of money that way and they are a good way for simple things like wills, bills of sale,etc. here's the best site with state specific forms.you can download form for a small fee or they will do it for you also.\nwww.uslegalforms.com
623070
It's called a holographic Will.  It has to be written completely in the Decedent's handwriting and signed, but it does not have to be notarized.\n\nIn Texas is it necessary to find at least two (2) people who are not beneficiaries under the terms of the Will and can attest under oath that they know that it is the Decedent's handwriting.\n\nTypically, these estates require an Administrator who must post bond as most people don't know how to properly phrase it so that they can have an Executor/trix acting without bond.\n\nALL STATES HAVE DIFFERENT LAWS.  NEVER TAKE LEGAL ADVICE FROM A STRANGER ON THE INTERNET.  ALWAYS CONTACT A LOCAL ATTORNEY TO VERIFY THE LAWS OF YOUR STATE.
866422
No. Many wills are typewritten.  Blind people have to dictate their wills to other people, otherwise they would be illegible.  The same would be true of someone unable to read or write.  The requirement under section 9 of the Wills Act 1837 is for the testator -- that is the person making the will -- to sign it in the presence of two impartial witnesses, who will also add their names and addresses for ease of identification.  Although s9 of the Wills Act 1837 requires that the will be “signed by the testator or by some other person in his presence and by his direction”, signature is given a wide meaning. A mark, an initial, and even a thumb print have all been held to suffice.  Although an attestation clause, confirming that the will was read over to the testator who understood and approved it, is not required by s9,  if such a clause is added, it will avoid complications later on.
495094
Wills don't have to be probated.  But until they are, there is no legal force behind them.  The court decides when it has been properly executed, that it hasn't been revoked, and that the person who wrote the will was the person who died.  If the will isn't probated, then you better be sure that there are NO disputes, because anyone can come out of the woodwork and say "um, that mobile home was actually supposed to go to me."  Not that this claim would win, but probating the will would help protect against these types of claims.\n\nThe reason you're selling off the property and dividing the proceeds is because cash is easier to split than personalty (personalty being personal property).  The titles to this property are irrelevant because as soon as your mother died, they were transfered to her estate and you and your sister are the beneficiaries to that estate.  So no, this is not why the will had to be probated.\n\nThe lawyer who administers the estate on your behalf has a right to charge however much he wants to.  It's your duty to ensure that this is not overly burdensome.  But if you signed a contract saying that he would get 5% of the estate, then it's more than likely too late for you to back out of that.  I personally don't believe that 5% is outrageous when it comes to working with the courts to make sure that everything is handled properly.  Just make sure he's keeping his side of the bargain by informing you when you have to file returns, what taxes (if any) are supposed to be paid, and when the probate process is going to be over.
983287
I'm an associate for Pre-Paid Legal. They are a company that has been around for 30 years, they are part of the BBB and the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange). What I do is talk to people who have a need for a lawyer, but can't afford one. There's no cold calling, like I said, it's people who have a need. The company itself offers you corporate leads who go to their website to find out more information or who need a consultant. They offer training and marketing materials, as well as a lot of other services. You have a choice of a montly check, weekly or daily direct deposits. If you want more information, send me an email agbisits@prepaidlegal.com. I can help you get started.
888261
100% will still go to the wife. You can't designate to have someone who isn't yet living in this world to be beneficiary. Last time I checked, a person of the cloth did not dictate a will either. It must be in writing and signed.
623981
yes, you can write your own will, you want two witnesses who don't benefit from it, and best to have them and you sign it in front of a notary...notaries usually charge only about $5.00. your bank may have one you can use for free...I know Citibank does, if you are a Citibank customer. It doesn't have to be notarized, just a good idea.
651362
No, just add a statement as to what should happen should they not be in agreement to an issue not addressed in your will.   Like the courts can make  a determination as to the disposition of the asset if no agreement is made between the executors
440997
A will is a legal document.  Check with your local court that handles estates (surrogate court or probate court) and ask them your options.  Good luck to you.
545516
Not necessarily. It depends on state law and on the paranoia of the lawyer representing the estate. Most states require written notice to the named beneficiaries (and sometimes the heirs at law), but not by ceritfied mail. The attorney only needs to attest that s/he sent the written notice to the beneficiaries.
643354
Thanks for asking the question. I never really thought about a will until I saw the question. Hope you have a lot of good answers:) This would help me too.
1002816
Not in New Jersey but as far as I know all signs can remain up until after closing is complete..still a chance closing could fall through..that's why they put up the sale pending signs.