Will Preparation in South Gate, California

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in South Gate, CA

In South Gate, 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 complicated 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.

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

A significant percentage of the problems that prevent wills from taking effect are caused by failing to follow the required formalities in will preparation. In most states, wills need to be witnessed and signed by at least two people who have no direct interest in the matter. They also have to include a clear written statement that the document is, in fact, the testator's will. It also has to be witnessed by at least two people. Witnesses cannot be anyone who has a direct interest in the will, which includes close relatives of the testator and anyone who's named in the will.

Holographic Wills in South Gate, California

In some states, testators are allowed 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 typically construed very broadly. Knowing that it was not written by an expert, a court will usually 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 allow holographic wills. In these states, you are still allowed 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.

Making a holographic will is rarely the ideal option. But it's sometimes the only option. If you find yourself suddenly needing to make a will, a holographic will is certainly an option, if they're recognized in your state. If possible, though, you should still consult with an attorney, who can review your holographic will and suggest any fixes that will make it easier to meet your goals.

How Can A South Gate, California Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is usually a good idea to have a South Gate, California 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 South Gate

When people think of Los Angeles, Malibu, Hollywood or Beverly Hills often comes to mind. However, South Gate is the sixteenth largest city in Los Angeles County. It is part of the Gateway Cities and is home to approximately 102,770 people. South Gate is nicknamed the "Azalea City" because it adopted the azalea as its official flower.

Some great attractions to see in South Gate include Watts Tower Arts Center, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Los Angeles Philharmonic,Watts Towers, Shrine Auditorium, Helitac Aviation, Karyn Lovegrove Gallery and Cultural Center Rosecrucoan Amorc.

With South Gate being so close to central Los Angeles, South Gate residents are a short drive away from top-notch legal representation. Los Angeles is home to top-tier law schools such as UCLA and USC, as well as large multinational firms. South Gate residents also have close access to many small and mid-size firms in Los Angeles that alse house excellent attorneys. All in all, South Gate residents are in luck--they have a vast and diverse legal force awaiting to serve their legal needs!

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