Will Preparation in Brentwood, California

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Brentwood, CA

In Brentwood, California, many of the complications 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.

Drafting a will doesn't need to be a convoluted or particularly expensive process. If you have a small to moderate amount of assets (limited to a home, a car, and a few bank/investment accounts), and don't need to set up trusts or anything similar, you can probably have a will written in just a couple days, for a relatively small fee.

But even with "simple" wills, some easily-avoidable problems come up more commonly than they need to. A brilliant Brentwood, California attorney can help you avoid these problems with careful will preparation.

Many problems with wills are due to some of the required formalities not being followed. The formalities involved in drafting and executing a will are not particularly complicated, but they must be scrupulously followed. Otherwise, the will might not be given effect. In most states, the will must include some clear statement that the document is, in fact, the last will and testament of the person making it. It normally must also be witnessed and signed by at least 2 people who do not have any stake in the will.

Holographic Wills in Brentwood, California

If you need to make a will quickly, some states authorize 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.

If holographic wills are valid in your state, courts will, as with any will, have to figure out what is really being said, and resolve ambiguities. Because holographic wills are not always written under ideal conditions, they have to be interpreted very liberally, so they can be given effect and not fail for technical reasons.

You should be aware that not all states recognize holographic wills. In such states, you can of course still handwrite your will if you want. But for the will to be valid, it has to be accompanied by all the formalities (including witnesses) needed for any other will.

If your state authorizes 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 Brentwood, California Lawyer Help?

Because there are particular formalities which must be followed in drafting wills, it's always a good idea to seek the help of a Brentwood, California attorney in drafting your will. Even if your will is going to be very simple, and you have the formalities all figured out, mistakes can be made.

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

Life in Brentwood

Brentwood, California is a city in Contra Costa County, California, in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its population is a little over 51,000 people.

Brentwood, California's economy has evolved over the last several decades, transitioning from a mostly agriculture based economy, to one based on retail and services. Uniquely, however, Brentwood has retained agriculture as a significant portion of its economic base, creating a diverse and vibrant economy, with a median household income of over ,000.

Many extremely successful professionals call Brentwood, California home. These include many lawyers and other providers of legal services.

Brentwood, California lawyers are highly competent, and are able to handle almost any legal issue just about any legal issue that their clients will face.

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