Will Preparation in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Elizabeth, NJ

Most of the problems that can pop up with wills in Elizabeth, New Jersey, like challenges to the will's validity, can be avoided if the will is well-drafted in the first place.

Generally, the larger your estate, and the more separate devises you want to make, the more complex the process of drafting your will is going to be. For most people, however, the process can be fairly simple.

However, even with "simple" wills, there are a few common stumbling blocks that often make things far more difficult down the road. Thankfully with proper will preparation, most of them are easy to avoid, with the help of a good attorney in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Most of the problems that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly complex, but they have to be followed to the letter if a will is to be valid. Usually, 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 carefully, because if they have any direct interest in the will, they won't count as valid witnesses.

Holographic Wills in Elizabeth, New Jersey

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.

If holographic wills are valid in your state, courts will, as with any will, have to figure out what is actually 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 recognizes them, a holographic will might be a reasonable option if you have a very small estate, and wish to make very simple devises. However, it is never a bad idea to at least have an attorney review your will for completeness and clarity, even if you aren't having the attorney draft it from scratch.

How Can A Elizabeth, New Jersey Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is usually a good idea to have an Elizabeth, New Jersey 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 Elizabeth

Elizabeth, New Jersey is located in Union County and has a population of over 124,000 people. Elizabeth is the 4th largest city in New Jersey and also serves as the county seat for Union County. In 2008, Popular Science Magazine rated Elizabeth, New Jersey as one of the 50 Greenest Cities in America. It is also one of the nation's oldest cities, being founded in the year 1655 and incorporated in March of 1855.

The city of Elizabeth, New Jersey is an unique combination of business and residential developments. A few examples of Elizabeth's major employers include Bayway Refinery and Newark Liberty International Airport. The Jersey Gardens outlet mall and the Elizabeth Center also generate large amounts of revenue.

Elizabeth, New Jersey is filled with U.S. historical landmarks. Residents and tourists can learn about American history at places such as Liberty Hall Museum. Liberty Hall is a historic mansion built in 1772 by William Livingston, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. Many notable U.S. persons were born and raised in Elizabeth, such as author Judy Blume and Poet Joe Weil.

Lawyers in Elizabeth, New Jersey offer assistance for a variety of legal matters and issues. The Union County Courthouse Complex is located in Elizabeth. Many Elizabeth attorneys resolve legal disputes at the courthouse.

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