Will Preparation in Hopewell, Virginia

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in Hopewell, VA

A lot of the complications that plague wills and estate plans in Hopewell, Virginia, such as contests by beneficiaries who think they got the short end, could have been avoided if the will had been better-drafted in the first place.

If your estate does not have a huge 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.

However even with "simple" wills, some easily-avoidable problems come up more often than they need to. A reputable Hopewell, Virginia attorney can help you avoid these problems with careful will preparation.

With most wills, certain formalities have to be followed in the drafting process or will preparation, or else the will might not be legitimate. In general, these formalities exist with the goal of making fraud more challenging. The requirements for a will to be valid are pretty simple, but it's still possible to make mistakes in attempting to follow them. Most notably, you should know that a will must contain a provision stating that the person making it is of sound mind, and actually intends the document to be a will. Also, the laws of most states require that wills be witnessed and signed by at least 2 neutral parties.

Holographic Wills in Hopewell, Virginia

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 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.

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

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 consult 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 Hopewell, Virginia Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is usually a good idea to have a Hopewell, Virginia 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.

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

Life in Hopewell

Hopewell is found in the Tri-Cities area of Virginia and is incorporated into the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical area. The city is home to 24,000 suburban residents who live on a bluff overlooking the James River and Appomattox River. The city was developed by the DuPont Company in 1914 which manufactured dynamite, however, during World War I the factory switched to creating guncotton for soldiers and allies. Hopewell was burnt nearly to the ground in 1915 but rose from the ashes and quickly rebuild with help from local companies. The Tubize Corporation established a plant in Hopewell in 1923.

Today the city's manufacturing plants are primarily focused on chemical processing with large corporations like Honeywell, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, and Hercules Chemical providing the bulk of employment in the area. The City Point Historical District of Hopewell offers outstanding lodging and culinary accommodations but many flock to see the collection of Sears Catalog Homes. Sever of them are available for self guided tours. Lawyers and firm offices are also located in Hopewell. Hopewell lawyers take a diverse selection of cases and are well acquainted with advising their clients on local courts as well.   

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