Many of the complications that sometimes come up with wills in Gonzales, Louisiana, 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.

Drafting a will doesn't need to be an intricate 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.

But even if the will is relatively simple, some preventable problems can derail the process. An efficient lawyer in Gonzales, Louisiana who specializes in wills and estate planning can help make sure that this doesn't happen to your will.

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

Holographic Wills in Gonzales, Louisiana

If you need to make a will quickly, some states permit 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.

Holographic wills, assuming they're recognized, are interpreted very broadly. This gives them the best possible chance of truly being implemented, since they will rarely be invalidated on technicalities.

You should know that not all states recognize holographic wills. Of course, you could still handwrite your will if you desire; but to be valid, it would have to be accompanied by all of the formalities (witnesses being the big one) of any other will.

If they are permitted in your states, a holographic will can be a good option, in some cases. If you do not have a considerable amount of money and property that you want to pass on, and your devises are going to be very simple (regular gifts to just a few people), a holographic will can suffice. However, you should seek the advice of a lawyer beforehand, and know that it is almost always a better option to have a will accompanied by all the required formalities.

How Can A Gonzales, Louisiana Lawyer Help?

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