There are four ways to give what we have to those we love at death: joint ownership, trusts, wills, and named beneficiaries.
Tag: wills
Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses
Here’s a brief overview of Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses (even if you were divorced from your ex-spouse when he or she died).
Did You Know that “Incompetent” People Cannot Sign Legal Documents?
Under the law, a person must have the “capacity” to validly sign legal documents. Before I permit my clients to sign their wills, I must believe that they know what belongs to them and to whom they wish to leave it. For example, if a client knows she has four kids and wants her money and personal belongings split evenly…
You Have Your Way, but Where’s Your Will?
Not finding a loved one’s signed, original will is very frustrating. If the will cannot be found, then it cannot be used. Clients sometimes tell me that their mom or dad died with a will, but it can’t be found. Courts will not probate the idea of a will, so we actually need the signed original. In some circumstances, a…
What happens if you die before you sign your will. Who gets what?
People frequently wonder what will happen if they die intestate – that is, without a will. Don’t worry, the state has written a will for you, but it just may not be the one you want. The following is a summary of that state-authored will: • If you are married and have children under the age of 18, your…