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Learn how to create a last will and testament with LegalZoom, an online service that helps you plan your estate and protect your family. Find out the benefits, components, and steps of a last will, and get answers to common questions.
- After completing your purchase, we’ll prepare your paperwork and it will typically be available for download within 2-3 business days so you can re...
- Yes. Our team of experienced attorneys have designed our last wills to meet the specific laws and requirements of each U.S. state.
- Last wills need to meet the following criteria to be legally binding:You must be of sound mind when you write it You must be acting of your own fre...
- Yes, for the most part. You can leave anyone out of your last will, subject to certain limitations. Many laws have been enacted to protect spouses...
- Yes, you can revoke a last will any time before your death by making a new last will that states that all prior last wills are no longer valid. To...
- The general rule is that all debts must be paid before any assets are distributed. Your outstanding credit card balances, for instance, are general...
- Attorney Assist is our legal guidance subscription service, which gives you unlimited 30-minute calls on new legal matters to vetted attorneys in o...
- The terms "will" and "testament" are often used interchangeably. They both describe a legal document that tells others how you want an executor to...
- Online will services are very common. At LegalZoom, we have 20 years of experience helping customers create their online wills. Our last wills were...
- LegalZoom is a trusted online service with a 4.6 out of 5 rating from nearly 20,000 reviews from our own customers. We've prepared over 3.5 million...
- An Introductory Clause
- A Declaration Clause
- A Clause Identifying The Executor Or Administrator
- A Bequest Clause
- A Residuary Clause
- A Guardianship Clause
- An Attestation Clause
- A No-Contest Clause
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In your introductory clause, you provide your personal information including your full name and the state where you live and indicate you are of sound mind at the time of the will.
Your declaration clause indicates that you intend this legal document to serve as your last will and testament. You should date your will and specify that this is your current legally valid will, revoking any wills that came before it.
An executor or administrator oversees the probate process with the court in which your estate is settled. The executor or administrator will also manage your estate assets until they are transferred to beneficiaries. This is an important job, as the executor must take many steps including locating assets, filing court paperwork and notifying credit...
A bequest clause specifies who will inherit your assets and how they will be distributed. It’s important to note this applies only to assets that transfer during the probate process. If you have put assets into a living trust, your retirement accounts name beneficiaries who inherit upon death or you co-own real property titled as joint tenants with...
A residuary clause should be included in your last will and testament. It specifies who inherits any property that is not otherwise addressed in your estate plan.
If you have minor children, you need to appoint a legal guardianfor them using a guardianship clause in your will. It is a good idea to appoint a successor guardian in case your first choice person passes before you or is otherwise unable to take over the care of your children if you pass away before they reach adulthood.
An attestation clause is the clause that is signed by the witnesses, attesting that the will is valid and was signed by you. Different states have different rules for the number of witnesses and the process for a witness signing a will in order to make it legally valid.
If you are concerned about someone arguing about the validity of your will, you can include a no-contest clause. This type of clause specifies that a beneficiary cannot inherit if they unsuccessfully challenge the validity of a will after your death. Different states have different rules about when they enforce these clauses, with some depriving a ...
Learn what a last will and testament is, why you need one, and how to create one. Find out the requirements, limitations, types, and costs of wills and how they differ from trusts.
May 19, 2024 · Learn how to create a legal document outlining how to transfer your assets after death. Find out the signing requirements, appoint individuals, decide who gets what, and download a free template in PDF, Word or ODT.
Create a legal document that sets forth your preferences regarding asset distribution after death. Customize a sample Last Will and Testament based on your personal situation and state laws.
Mar 7, 2024 · Learn what a last will and testament is, why you need one, and how to create one online. Compare different types of wills, costs, and benefits of using Trust & Will.
Apr 3, 2024 · Learn what a last will and testament is, why you need one, and how to write one. Find out the types of wills, what they can and can't do, and how to avoid probate and taxes.
Feb 28, 2024 · Learn how to create a legally valid will to declare your final wishes for your property and affairs. Download a free printable PDF or Word document with instructions and examples.
