Many of the pitfalls that sometimes come up with wills in Jerseyville, Illinois, such as contests brought by would-be beneficiaries, or devises which aren't clear on what they mean, can be avoided if the will is properly 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.

But be warned: even a comparatively simple will can encounter delays in the drafting process, which can cause problems later on. An efficient Jerseyville, Illinois lawyer will considerably reduce the chances of this happening, if they help you in the process of robust will preparation.

Most of the pitfalls that plague wills stem from failure on the part of the drafter to comply with the required formalities. These requirements aren't terribly difficult, 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 cautiously, because if they have any direct interest in the will, they won't count as valid witnesses.

Holographic Wills in Jerseyville, Illinois

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 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 necessary by the law of that state.

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

How Can A Jerseyville, Illinois Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is typically a good idea to have a Jerseyville, Illinois 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.