In Sanford, Florida, many of the dilemmas 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.
Typically, 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.
But be warned: even a comparatively simple will can encounter delays in the drafting process, which can cause problems later on. An accomplished Sanford, Florida lawyer will considerably reduce the chances of this happening, if they help you in the process of robust will preparation.
Most of the dilemmas that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly complicated, but they have to be followed to the letter if a will is to be valid. Normally, 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 cautiously, because if they have any direct interest in the will, they won't count as valid witnesses.
Holographic Wills in Sanford, Florida
In some (but definitely not all) states, "holographic wills" can sometimes be treated as valid wills. A holographic will is just a will that is written exclusively in the testator's own handwriting. They do not need to be witnessed in order to be valid.
Holographic wills, assuming they're recognized, are interpreted very broadly. This gives them the best possible chance of really being implemented, since they will rarely be invalidated on technicalities.
You should, however, know that not all states authorize holographic wills. In such states, you can still hand write your will if you want, but all the formalities, such as witnesses, must be present.
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 Sanford, Florida Lawyer Help?
Because of the formalities that must accompany most wills, it might be wise to have a Sanford, Florida attorney help you draft it.
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