Will Preparation in Thousand Oaks, California

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Thousand Oaks, CA

In Thousand Oaks, California, many of the issues 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 Thousand Oaks, 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 Thousand Oaks, California

In some states, "holographic wills" are valid. A holographic will is written by hand, in the testator's own handwriting. Such will do not need to have any witnesses to be valid.

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.

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 Thousand Oaks, California Lawyer Help?

Because of the various required formalities that accompany a will, it's not a bad idea to have a good Thousand Oaks, California attorney help you draft your will, even if it is relatively simple.

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

Life in Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks, California is a master-planned city located in Ventura California. It is named after the abundance of oak trees in the city. Thousand Oaks contains about 2,000 single family residences, an industrial park, a regional shopping center, and various neighborhood retail centers.

The local economy of Thousand Oaks consists of numerous businesses, namely biotechnology, electronics and telecommunications, and cosmetics. Major corporations in Thousand Oaks include Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Amgen, Inc., Jafra Cosmetics, and a Verizon Regional Office. These companies, along with many other employers, attract a large number of residents and commuters to the city.

Popular destinations in Thousand Oaks, California include: the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center, Wildwood Regional Park, and The Oaks Shopping Center. Many national store chains establish new locations in Thousand Oaks when expanding to the West Coast, as the city is often at the forefront of fashion and retail trends. Due to its location in the northwest region of the Greater Los Angeles Area, many famous actors, singers, and celebrity superstars chose to live in Thousand Oaks. These have included Colbie Caillat, Heather Locklear, Sophia Lauren, and Dean Martin.

In order to meet the needs of the community, lawyers in Thousand Oaks, California offer services in many different areas of law. Thousand Oaks lawyers handle legal matters that are sometimes unique to the region. Legal advice is available for those with questions about the laws in Thousand Oaks.

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