Is a will still legal if you write it yourself and just have it witnessed, or do you have to go to a lawyer or buy one of the DIY will computer programs? If you can write it yourself, does it have to be hand witten?
2006-07-07 14:04:51 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
A will must adhere to certain legal requirements both in content and the way they are expressed. You can do it IF you know exactly what you are doing, but bear in mind, if you make a mistake, your will may be considered null and void.
It is such an important document that you really should, at minimum, use a pre-printed form, and even then have your lawyer review it. Having a lawyer make a will is not expensive, if your situation is simple. Many lawer will do it for you for a fixed amount.
No, there is no such requirement that it had to be hand written. Almost all of them are typed. (printed)
2006-07-07 14:11:20 · answer #1 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It entirely depends on what state you're in. Many states do recognize handwritten wills (so-called holographic wills), so long as the will's key provisions (the gifts and the beneficiaries) are in the person's own handwriting and the will is signed. That's all that is required under California law, for instance. States vary greatly in terms of other requirements--some require that the will be dated (which is always a good idea anyway) and/or that it be witnessed.
As others have said, consulting a lawyer is always the best idea when drafting a will, especially considering how different state laws are in this area.
2006-07-08 00:08:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can more easily be contested. If you have one done legally, witnessed and notarized, then it's a done deal.
There is a place online that you can fill out the form, they print it up with all the legal stuff for your state and you just have it witnessed and notarized. It's inexpensive, about $80.
2006-07-07 21:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by kathy059 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure an actual legal document is probably best, but I don't see any reason papers written by a person themselves couldn't be legitimate to a degree. I would think they could be considered valid at least to a point if each of the papers are signed as proof. At least it would make sense if it could work just fine that way.
Edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%28law%29
2006-07-07 21:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by Indigo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's a legal document.
Best to have 2 witnesses and then have it notarized
2006-07-07 21:08:54 · answer #5 · answered by Pobept 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋