I need a legal will in California for my property and guardianship of my children?

Question

My husband I are planning to get pregnant next year with our first child. We do not want my husband's mother to gain guardianship ever since she is unstable.

We would like my parents to be guardians if we should die. We also want a will that dispurses our property, money and other belongings.

Is there any templates that we can do this for free and have it notarized?

What are the laws on this in California?

Answer 1

STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM PRE-PAID LEGAL!!!!! It is a total scam. I have dealt with these people before and they never provide the kind of services you expect. Think of it this way -- exactly what kind of legal services can you expect for $26 per month? Average lawyer charges $300 per HOUR. How is $26/mo. going to cover any kind of competent legal representation?

That having been said, California does allow you to draft your own will. Technically, you do not need a lawyer for it to be binding. However, I always suggest using a lawyer because they know all the pitfalls of Estate planning laws. You're talking about the future of your child. Don't skimp on this.

Further, if your estate is simple (no major assets other than family home) then you should easily be able to find a lawyer who can draft a will for you for less than $500.

If you're still not willing to spend that much (which, quite honestly, I think you're idiotic if you don't) then there are computer programs available that can walk you through the process.

Answer 2

Go to your local bookstore, you might have a legal bookstore in your town or a university bookstore with a law school, and look for a shelf with publications from Nolo Press. They are a publisher from Berkeley that print a large selection of legal self help books. They are pretty good. They have templates or formats of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, physician's directives, etc. that any intelligent person can fill out and have either notarized or witnessed. Typically wills are witnessed not notarized. In your will you nominate who you want to have guardianship powers. The court will generally uphold your nomination unless someone comes up with a very good reason why your nominee should be rejected.
If you own your home, then you should consider getting a trust instead of a will. The trust will eliminate the probate procedure if done properly. The will is a one way ticket to the probate court.
One last suggestion. Instead of naming your parents as guardians, consider younger guardians such as siblings. Chances are your parents will pass away before you do and then you would have to amend your documents. Might as well start with someone that might outlive you.

Answer 3

You should contact http://www.prepaidlegal.com
they provide legal services for $26/mo. and when you don't want to use their services anymore, you write and tell them you are cancelling our contract. No gimicks. Just by becoming a memeber they will send you a booklet that includes a will. You fill it out and mail it in. They notarize it, and keep it on file. These folk put you in contact with your very own local law firm. It works!

Answer 4

Sorry to could desire to grant the surprising information yet! gay adult adult males already have infants and function been having them for as long as mankind has existed. in fact homosexuals of all species have been having infants. comparable is going for adopting and fostering, loads of gay women and adult adult males people who i be conscious of have taken on the duty of elevating somebody else infants, and those human beings have been as able as everyone else. they have as a results of fact your sexuality has no longer something to do along with your ability to be a determine. (loads of heterosexuals are hopeless as parents.) As for the criminal adoption or fostering of infants via overtly gay adult adult males or women human beings be that single or married. That i be conscious of of, a single heterosexual (closet gay or bisexual coated) individual can no longer undertake a baby and yet they are able to foster yet so can a gay individual. overtly gay couples do no longer yet get a glance in even in spite of the indisputable fact that i think interior the destiny this could replace as further and extra overtly gay parents practice that us gays are only as able.