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Wills

It is not easy to think about purchasing life insurance and drafting wills, but if you care for your loved ones, make it easier on them after you are gone and organize your assets appropriately while you are still in control. Keep in mind that a will does not trump life insurance and whomever is listed as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy can do whatever they want with the money sent to them regardless of what is written in a will. Talk to a lawyer today to better understand what to do in these type of situations. We will make this process simple so that you may rest easy!

A will (or a testament) can be drafted by anyone, although there are many mistakes that can be made causing your will to become invalid. When the will comes into effect (upon death), there may be circumstances where the person who drafted the will is not available to explain themselves in correcting any technical deficiency or miscommunication in expression that may invalidate the will. An attorney can protect your estate and make certain that the division of assets will disperse according to the testator (literally meaning "man with valid will").

There are many kinds of wills as well as codicil documents that can amend a previously completed will.

  • Reciprocal/mirror/mutual/joint/husband and wife wills - wills made by two or more parties (typically spouses) that make similar or identical provisions in favor of each other
  • Holographic will - written by the hand of the testator
  • Self-notary will - will in public form and prepared by a civil-law notary
  • Proved will - in solemn form with affidavits of subscribing witnesses to avoid probate
  • Mystic will - sealed until death
  • Unsolemn will - will in which the executor is unnamed
  • Will in solemn form - signed by testator and witnesses
  • Serviceman's will - will of person in active-duty military service
  • Nuncupative (non-culpatory) will - oral or dictated; often limited to sailors or military personnel