Will Preparation in Antioch, California

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Antioch, CA

In Antioch, California, many of the problems that sometimes come with a will, such as would-be beneficiaries challenging its validity, or devises which don't make it clear who gets what (resulting in costly and time-consuming litigation) can be avoided if the will is well-drafted in the first place.

The process of drafting and executing a will can be very simple with the average estate which has only a moderate amount of assets held in only a few locations (a couple bank accounts, a house, maybe a stock portfolio). This is also true if the decedent simply wants to give their property to a few immediate family members, without setting up a complex trust arrangement.

But even if the will is relatively simple, some preventable problems can derail the process. An experienced lawyer in Antioch, California who specializes in wills and estate planning can help make sure that this doesn't happen to your will.

With most wills, certain formalities have to be followed in the drafting process or will preparation, or else the will might not be valid. In general, these formalities exist with the goal of making fraud more difficult. The requirements for a will to be valid are pretty simple, but it's still possible to make mistakes in attempting to follow them. Most importantly, you should know that a will must contain a provision stating that the person making it is of sound mind, and actually intends the document to be a will. Also, the laws of most states require that wills be witnessed and signed by at least 2 neutral parties.

Holographic Wills in Antioch, California

If you need to make a will quickly, some states allow you to write a "holographic will." This is simply a will which the testator hand-writes. These types of wills don't need to be witnessed.

A holographic will, where they are allowed, will generally be interpreted liberally, to give effect to the testator's intent if at all possible.

You should know, however, that holographic wills aren't recognized in many states. If you live in one of these states, you're still free to hand write your will, but, in order to be valid, it must be accompanied by all the formalities required by the laws of the state it is made in.

If your state allows them, a holographic will might be a good way to go in some cases. For example, if you don't have an unusually large amount of money, and simply want to leave your assets to close family members, or even to a single person (such as a spouse), it probably wouldn't be a problem. However, even in cases like this, it's never a bad idea to make a will with the help of a lawyer.

How Can A Antioch, California Lawyer Help?

Because of the various required formalities that accompany a will, it's not a bad idea to have a good Antioch, California attorney help you draft your will, even if it is relatively simple.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Antioch

Antioch, California is a city of about 103,000 people. It is located in Contra Costa County, California, in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. It is considered a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland.

Antioch is one of the oldest towns in California. It was founded in 1850. A few years later, coal was discovered in some of the nearby hills, and coal mining became the first major industry in Antioch, California.

Modernly, Antioch is a mostly-residential community, where many professionals who work in the larger cities nearby, such as San Francisco and Oakland, live. Its economy is based largely on retail, healthcare, and white-collar services, such as law offices and lawyers.

If you live in Antioch, California, and need legal advice, it's almost certain that there's an Antioch, California attorney who can help.

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