Many of the dilemmas that sometimes come up with wills in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 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 doesn't contain a lot of money and property, and you only want to leave your assets to a few individuals, making a will can be pretty simple.
Nonetheless, even with "simple" wills, there are a few frequent stumbling blocks that commonly make things far more difficult down the road. Luckily with proper will preparation, most of them are easy to avoid, with the help of a good attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Most of the dilemmas that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly complicated, 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 Grand Rapids, Michigan
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.
Holographic wills, assuming they're recognized, are interpreted very broadly. This gives them the best possible chance of really being implemented, since they will rarely be invalidated on technicalities.
You should know that not all states recognize holographic wills. Of course, you could still handwrite your will if you desire; but to be legitimate, it would have to be accompanied by all of the formalities (witnesses being the big one) of any other will.
If they are authorized in your states, a holographic will can be a good option, in some cases. If you do not have a massive amount of money and property that you want to pass on, and your devises are going to be very simple (regular gifts to just a few people), a holographic will can suffice. Nonetheless, you should seek the advice of a lawyer beforehand, and know that it is almost always a better option to have a will accompanied by all the required formalities.
How Can A Grand Rapids, Michigan Lawyer Help?
Because of the various required formalities that accompany a will, it's not a bad idea to have a seasoned Grand Rapids, Michigan attorney help you draft your will, even if it is relatively simple.
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