What is a Will?
A will is a written or oral communication by a person stating how they want their property disposed of at death.

Different Types of Wills
There are several different types of wills one can use to dispose of his or her estate:

Self-proving will – A will that has been witnessed and signed with all of the formalities required by state law. This is the most common will.

Holographic will – A will that is handwritten without the presence of witnesses. Very few states recognize these types of wills, and only in limited, specific circumstances.

Oral will – This type of will is an unwritten disposition of property, whereby the individual orally communicates his or her wishes. Oral wills are only recognized in a few states and usually only in compelling situations.

Requirements for a Will
There are several requirements for a will:

Be of sound mind – This means that you must:

Be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor

Know what a will is

Know that you are making a will

Understand your relationship between yourself and the people who care for you (i.e. immediate family members, including spouse and family).

Expressly state that this document is your will

Sign and date the will

Signed ("attested") by at least two or three witnesses – The number of required witnesses depends on state law. In addition, most states require that the witnesses be unrelated to you.

Have one substantive provision that:

Appoints a guardian for any minor children

Lists who inherits specific items

States what happens to remaining property not specifically mentioned in the will

Appoint an executor

Responsible for supervising the distribution of property

Makes sure that all your debts and taxes are paid

Let our attorneys at Strong International Law Group help you with peace of mind by getting your estate plans done.