Will Preparation in Rockford, Illinois

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Rockford, IL

Many of the complications that sometimes come up with wills in Rockford, Illinois, such as contests brought by would-be beneficiaries, or devises which aren't clear on what they mean, can be avoided if the will is properly drafted in the first place.

If your estate does not have a large amount of assets, your assets are limited to cash and personal belongings, and you wish to leave all your property to your immediate family and friends, the process of drafting your will is likely to be fairly simple.

Nonetheless, even if the will is comparatively simple, some problems which are very easy to avoid can still complicate the process. A seasoned Rockford, Illinois wills and trusts lawyer can help you avoid these problems.

Most of the complications that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly perplexing, but they have to be followed to the letter if a will is to be valid. Normally, wills have to be witnessed and signed by at least 2 people, and it must include a clear statement that the document is, in fact, a will. You should choose the witnesses cautiously, because if they have any direct interest in the will, they won't count as valid witnesses.

Holographic Wills in Rockford, Illinois

In some states, testators are authorized to make "holographic wills." This is a will which the testator hand-writes, in his or her own handwriting. Such wills do not need to have any witnesses to be given effect.

Holographic wills are usually construed very broadly. Knowing that it was not written by an expert, a court will normally look at the common definition of words, and use other common-sense principles when it comes to interpreting a holographic will. This is necessary to avoid conflicts, and increase the chances that the testator's wishes are honored.

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 legitimate, it has to be accompanied by all the formalities (including witnesses) required for any other will.

If your state authorizes them, a holographic will might be a good way to go in some cases. For instance, 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. Nonetheless, even in cases like this, it's never a bad idea to make a will with the help of a lawyer.

How Can A Rockford, Illinois Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is normally a good idea to have a Rockford, Illinois attorney help you make it, or at least go over it after you have written it, to make sure there aren't any problems with it.

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

Life in Rockford

Rockford, Illinois is a city on both banks of the Rock River, in Northern Illinois. It is the county seat of Winnebago County, and the third-larges city in Illinois, with a population of over 150,000 people.

Rockford, IL experienced a major economic boom in the first half of the 20th Century, largely due to the massive industrialization of the entire country that was necessary to the war effort in WWII. However, like many industrial cities, Rockford, IL went into a steep economic decline in subsequent decades.

However, with the manufacturing industry in the U.S. bouncing back faster than the rest of the economy in the wake of the recession of the late 2000s, Rockford, IL has reaped some of these benefits. One of the biggest employers in the city is a major Chrysler manufacturing plant. Part of this recovery has been due to government investment in the area, and was made possible, in part, by the government bailout of the two largest auto companies in the U.S. Several Rockford, IL lawyers were probably involved in coming up with this deal.

The lawyers of Rockford, IL are skilled in handling a wide range of cases. If you live in the Rockford area, and need a lawyer, you can't do much better than hiring a Rockford, IL attorney.

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