Will Preparation in West Covina, California

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in West Covina, CA

In West Covina, California, many of the pitfalls 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 difficult or especially 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.

Nonetheless, even if the will is comparatively simple, some problems which are very easy to avoid can still complicate the process. A seasoned West Covina, California wills and trusts lawyer can help you avoid these problems.

A considerable 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 further 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 encompasses close relatives of the testator and anyone who's named in the will.

Holographic Wills in West Covina, California

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.

Assuming that a holographic will is valid in your state, a court will probably interpret it very liberally, acknowledging the fact that it likely wasn't written by a lawyer. This is to make it much easier to really give your wishes effect.

You should know, however, that holographic wills aren't recognized in many states. If you live in one of these states, you're still free to hand write your will, but, in order to be valid, it must be accompanied by all the formalities necessary by the laws of the state it is made in.

If your state recognizes them, a holographic will might be a good option if you have a very small estate, and wish to make very simple devises. Nonetheless, 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 West Covina, California Lawyer Help?

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

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

Life in West Covina

West Covina, California is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It has a population of about 106,000 people.

West Covina, California was incorporated in 1923, mainly to prevent the city of Covina from building a sewage treatment plant on the land West Covina now occupies. Modernly, West Covina, California is largely a bedroom community, with many of its residents commuting to Los Angeles and other larger nearby cities for their jobs. This is common practice among middle-class professionals, such as attorneys.

These professionals and attorneys are drawn to West Covina in part because of its large country club, known as South Hills.

If you live in West Covina, California and need legal help, there's almost certainly a West Covina attorney who can help. West Covina, California lawyers are skilled in a wide range of legal practice areas, and can probably advise you on whatever legal issue you're facing.

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