Will Preparation in Kent, Washington

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Kent, WA

A lot of the issues that plague wills and estate plans in Kent, Washington, such as contests by beneficiaries who think they got the short end, could have been avoided if the will had been better-drafted in the first place.

If your estate does not have a massive 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.

However, even if the will is comparatively simple, some problems which are very easy to avoid can still complicate the process. A knowledgeable Kent, Washington wills and trusts lawyer can help you avoid these problems.

Most of the issues that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly confusing, but they have to be followed to the letter if a will is to be valid. Typically, 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 Kent, Washington

In some (but certainly not all) states, "holographic wills" can sometimes be treated as valid wills. A holographic will is just a will that is written entirely in the testator's own handwriting. They do not need to be witnessed in order to be valid.

Holographic wills are normally construed very broadly. Knowing that it was not written by an expert, a court will typically 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.

But you should be aware that not all states permit holographic wills. In these states, you are still permitted to hand write your will if you so desire, but they must be accompanied by all the formalities required by the law of that state.

If they are permitted in your states, a holographic will can be a good option, in some cases. If you do not have a considerable 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. However, 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 Kent, Washington Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities required in drafting wills, it's never a bad idea to have a knowledgeable Kent, Washington attorney help in making your will. Even if your will is quite simple, and you have all the formalities figured out, it's still easy to make mistakes without a good once-over by a professional.

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

Life in Kent

Kent is located in King County, Washington. It is a surrounding suburb of Seattle. Per the 2010 census, Kent is home to 92,411 people.

Top employers include REI, Oberto Sausage, Boeing, Coho Distributing, Sysco, Alaska Airlines and Starbucks Coffee. Other employers include small law offices and boutique law firms that employ many competent attorneys and support staff. Such entities easily tend to the legal needs of residents.

The city is well-recognized as the popular host for such events as the Cantebury Faire, Kent Cornucopia Days, Kent Farmers Market, ShoWare Center, and Kent Saturday Market.

Famous residents include Earl Anthony, Ernie Conwell, Jeff Jaeger, Brenda Raganot, Cam Weaver, and Kelly Bachand.

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