Will Preparation in West Allis, Wisconsin

Find the right Will Preparation attorney in West Allis, WI

A lot of the dilemmas that plague wills and estate plans in West Allis, Wisconsin, 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.

The process of drafting and executing a will can be very simple with the average estate which has only a moderate amount of assets held in only a few locations (a couple bank accounts, a house, maybe a stock portfolio). This is also true if the decedent simply wants to give their property to a few immediate family members, without setting up a complex trust arrangement.

But be warned: even a relatively simple will can encounter pitfalls in the drafting process, which can cause problems later on. An experienced West Allis, Wisconsin lawyer will greatly reduce the chances of this happening, if they help you in the process of robust will preparation.

Many problems with wills are due to some of the required formalities not being followed. The formalities involved in drafting and executing a will are not particularly complicated, but they must be scrupulously followed. Otherwise, the will might not be given effect. In most states, the will must include some clear statement that the document is, in fact, the last will and testament of the person making it. It usually must also be witnessed and signed by at least 2 people who do not have any stake in the will.

Holographic Wills in West Allis, Wisconsin

In some states, "holographic wills" are valid. A holographic will is written by hand, in the testator's own handwriting. Such will do not need to have any witnesses to be valid.

If holographic wills are valid in your state, courts will, as with any will, have to figure out what is actually being said, and resolve ambiguities. Because holographic wills are not always written under ideal conditions, they have to be interpreted very liberally, so they can be given effect and not fail for technical reasons.

But you should be aware that not all states allow holographic wills. In these states, you are still allowed to hand write your will if you so desire, but they must be accompanied by all the formalities required by the law of that state.

If your estate is relatively small, and the devises you wish to make aren't very complicated, a holographic will can be a good option if they're valid in your state. Of course, it's never a bad idea to make a will with the assistance of a lawyer.

How Can A West Allis, Wisconsin Lawyer Help?

Because of the formalities that are required for most wills to be valid, it is usually a good idea to have a West Allis, Wisconsin 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 West Allis

West Allis, Wisconsin is a charming city located in the greater Milwaukee area. West Allis has a sizeable population of just under 65,000 residents and is a very popular place to visit in Wisconsin. The city is located on 11.4 square miles.

West Allis is home to the Wisconsin State Fair, and the fairgrounds are a popular place for concerts and other activities in addition to the fair. West Allis has a lot of activities for residents to enjoy including parks, trails, and movie theaters. The Root and Kinnickinnic Rivers flow through parts of West Allis, which makes for some lush landscape and beauty for residents and visitors to enjoy.

West Allis is also home to some fabulous lawyers. Lawyers practicing in West Allis are trained to help their local client in any legal matter he or she is facing. Many West Allis lawyers grew up in the city and decided to practice there and their appreciation for their community is evident. In addition to great lawyers, West Allis has a wonderful professional community which makes this city a great place to work in. Whether visiting or living, West Allis has it all!

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