Wills Lawyer
As your friendly wills lawyer Beverly Hills, CA residents rely on from Inter Vivos, PLLC knows, most people feel overwhelmed when first trying to write their estate plan. Estate planning can seem like a daunting task, but it’s a necessary step in protecting your loved ones and lifetime legacy. It is a task that many people put off too late in their lives however. Estate planning should be done well before you need to refer to your plan. By working on an estate plan early, you can be prepared in case there is a sudden life event that needs your attention. A big part of an estate plan is a will, as many people are familiar with. A will is a document that contains your instructions for how you want your estate to be managed and who your assets will be passed down to. By having a will in place, you can go about your days more reassured that your loved ones are covered for a future when you are no longer physically there with them.
So how can you reduce the anxiety of writing an estate plan? We’d say to consider reaching out to a reputable law firm, such as ours, for guidance. Serving our clients is our top priority, and we understand how to deliver the services that clients need to create an estate plan that is suitable for them. We have helped many people just like you, who probably want nothing more than to ensure their legacy is passed down to those they care about the most. We will ensure that you and your family are taken off and have a strong estate plan that helps you accomplish your goals and protects your future. Even if you have no idea where to start with estate planning, our experienced legal team is ready to help. Whether you want your assets to go to people, charities, or both — we can get you started!
Despite what people may think, writing an estate plan is not just for those who are in their senior years or have an exorbitant amount of wealth. If you have any amount of assets, you are encouraged to create an estate plan. Estate planning should be done while you are of healthy, working age, and should not be delayed. If any of these are true for you, then you should have an estate plan:
- You have children or dependents
- You have a career or business
- You are older than 18 years of age
- You have a savings account or investments
- You have tangible and intangible property
- You have sentimental items
Keep in mind that if you choose to not write an estate plan, that you are basically agreeing to let the courts make decisions for you after your death. If you do not have a will after they pass away, the courts have the authority to distribute your estate as they see fit. Since you did not provide a legal document for them to use, they can make decisions regarding your estate that may not necessarily align with your preferences. Having an estate plan ready is the only way you can have your wishes fulfilled. As your CA wills lawyer in Beverly Hills may emphasize, the court system won’t be privy to the nuances of family dynamics or who you would have distributed certain assets to. When writing your estate plan, you can specify which friends or family members you have to have assets, such as:
- Art collections
- Vehicles
- Properties
- Money in bank accounts
- Furniture
- Stocks and bonds
- Trademarks, patents, copyrights
- Licenses
- Intellectual property
- A more+
Is a Will Necessary?
One of the first documents you can start with when working on an estate plan is a will. Many people are most familiar with this document. When you are writing your will, you will need to make sure it is detailed and contains the correct information. Include your personal information, your executor, the list of assets, the names of your beneficiaries, and make it clear that your will is specifically for the purpose of transferring your property.
Whether a will is necessary or not depends on your personal wishes. Writing a will is necessary if you want to retain control over how your estate is handled after your death. Without a will, the court system will take over your estate and distribute them at their discretion, which may not be what you or your family wants. You can decide how detailed you want your preferences to be in your will, but keep in mind that your estate may have to go through probate, so be cautious about information that you include regarding your personal and business wishes.
Why Hire a Wills Lawyer
Drafting a will can be a complicated process because there is so much information to include. A lawyer can help you every step of the way. They can advise you on other aspects of estate planning. If you have any questions at all about how to make a will, a lawyer can help you.
Call Inter Vivos, PLLC For Assistance
Once you identify your assets, you can make your intentions clear for who you want to receive them after you are no longer here. You can rest assured knowing your legacy is safeguarded by law and will be distributed to the next generation and on. Planning for the future doesn’t have to be stressful. We hope that if you are unsure how to begin writing your estate plan, that you consider calling a wills lawyer in Beverly Hills, California from Inter Vivos, PLLC to book a consultation!
What You Should Include in Your Will
A will is one of the most basic and important documents in an estate plan. If you plan on establishing one soon, it is important to know what to include in it. Then, you will have a peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be carried out. Here are several important things to include in your will.
- Personal information. You are required to include personal information about yourself, such as your full name, date of birth and address.
- Assets and beneficiaries. When creating a will, you can choose with assets you want to pass on and to whom. You can pass on your homes, vehicles, jewelry, furniture and many other personal items. It is also important to take time to select the right beneficiaries. For example, if you want your cousin to receive a painting, make it clear in your will. This way, there will be no confusion.
- Guardian. If you have children under 18, it is wise to appoint a suitable guardian in your will. If the unexpected should happen, you know that your children will be taken care of. The guardian you select for your children should be responsible, financially stable and share your values. He or she should also have the time and desire to take on the responsibility of raising children. It’s also a good idea to name an alternative guardian in case the first guardian can’t fulfill the duty anymore.
- Executor. An executor distributes your assets to your heirs and manages your affairs after you are gone. It is a big responsibility, so you should choose your executor carefully. Ideally, your executor should be organized, dependable, honest, communicative and impartial. He or she should also reside in your state. Before you appoint an executor, it is important to ask the person if he or she is fine with the responsibility. Just like with a guardian, it is wise to include an alternative executor if the first executor can’t take on the responsibility anymore. If you can’t find someone within your family to serve as an executor, you may want to hire a professional fiduciary.
- Signatures. In order for your will to be valid, you have to include your own signature and the signatures of at least two witnesses. The witnesses are required to sign the document to prove the testator’s identity and mental capacity to draft a will.